Steam On host Jim Williams reported something counter to what everyone has been saying in recent weeks on March 21: the ACC won't see an exodus of schools leave the conference and FSU and Clemson might leave despite the legal troubles between the parties playing out.
"Do not expect a mass exodus of schools from
the ACC," Williams prefaced before saying, "ESPN wants the conference to stay together and despite law suits from FSU and Clemson. The network has joined the ACC in court. Some day FSU & Clemson might find a way out but don't look for ESPN to help."
This is strange. Wiliams was the one who reported that Memphis, Tulane, Wazzu, Oregon State, UConn, and USF can join the ACC if FSU, Clemson, UNC, and Louisville leave.
FSU and Clemson are also battling the conference in court in hopes of escaping their contracts. FSU fired off the opening salvo by accusing the ACC of a breach of contract after Florida State challenged the league's grant of rights in January.
With college football shifting to a Power 2 model that prioritizes the SEC and Big Ten in the College Football Playoff, it'd be a shocker not to see FSU and Clemson find an out; especially after their conference saw an undefeated champion get snubbed from the final four-team CFP in 2023.
Other source claims FSU is leaving ACC 'soon' and will be first domino to fall
It looks like we have a source-off here, folks. Longtime college football radio host Greg Swaim believes FSU will be leaving the ACC soon and they'll be the first domino to fall in the next round of conference realignment.
Given how the sport has been dramatically reshaped in the past several years, it's more likely that there will be more changes than not.
Stay tuned, though, because there are likely to be several more twists no one will see coming.