Football

If the ACC Collapses, Which Schools Should The Big 12 Look at For Expansion?

By Derek Duke

Posted on June 29, 2024 at 9:37 am

NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at North Carolina

It feels like every summer over the past few years has been filled with realignment news. I will never forget when former Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby joked about not getting any realignment questions back at Big 12 media days in 2021. Weeks later, Texas and Oklahoma were out, bolting for the SEC.

Ever since then, it seems like realignment has been the hot topic of college football during the offseason. A few years ago the Big 12 was on the ledge before adding BYU, UCF, Houston, and Cincinnati. Then it was the Pac-12’s turn to walk the plank last year and they didn’t make it. Now all eyes appear to be on the ACC in 2024.

Florida State and Clemson have made it clear that they no longer want to be part of the conference and as you are reading this there are five active lawsuits going on between them. When they will be settled is unknown but what we do know is that they aren’t happy in the ACC. So the biggest question is where will they end up?

As much as I love the Big 12, let’s be real here. They aren’t coming here. I believe they have their eyes set on the SEC or the Big Ten, and if given the opportunity, I am sure that either one of those conference would likely welcome them with open arms.

But what about the other schools and the new schools coming in to the ACC? What would happen to them? Should the Big 12 try bring some of them to the conference?

Let’s try and sort out the ACC from a Big 12 perspective.

Teams I Want, But Probably Won’t Get

North Carolina

I would LOVE to have the Tar Heels in the Big 12, but it’s a longshot. While they may not be mentioned in the same breath as Florida State or Clemson, North Carolina is an attractive school for any conference. It’s a historic brand and everyone and their mother recognizes the Carolina Blue.

Teams That I Want, And Could Get

North Carolina State

This is one is a no-brainer. Great school, solid fan base and consistent in all major sports. It would be even sweeter to bring in North Carolina with them, if possible.

Louisville

Much like North Carolina State, Louisville feels like a good fit. They have a good football program, historic basketball program and even the baseball is good. It would give Cincinnati someone close and who wouldn’t want to go drink bourbon in Louisville?

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a great football brand that I would love to have in the Big 12. And how cool would it be to have that Enter Sandman entrance in the conference? It’s one of the best in the sport.

Miami

Before you throw your phone or computer hear me out. Miami is still a recognizable brand in college football. While their football program leaves a lot to be desired, I think giving UCF an in-state rival would be cool and would give the Big 12 another footprint in the Sunshine State. My only complaint is the garbage stadium they have to play in.

Teams That Interest Me

Pittsburgh

This is one of those schools that people like, but I am not completely sold on Pitt. This isn’t the 1980’s anymore and Pitt doesn’t have that same value they once had. What do they excel in right now? I can’t think of anything. Plus, while the rivalry with West Virginia is great, is that reason enough to add them to a conference?

SMU

Money talks and SMU has PLENTY of it. It would give TCU a great in-conference rival outside of Baylor, but I do wonder if bringing in another Texas school is a good idea. That is up for debate.

Duke

I low-key, kind of like Duke and not just because we share the same name. Huge brand in basketball and their football program isn’t bad either.

Teams I Don’t Want

Wake Forest

I feel like Wake Forest is the Vanderbilt of the ACC. Does anyone really want them? The only thing I like is their baseball program.

Virginia

Virginia is just the watered down version of Virginia Tech. Pass.

Georgia Tech

This may cause a bit of a stir because there are people out there who think Georgia Tech is worthy of getting an invite. This was a big conversation on the Heartland Forums, which you can sign up for, for free. While academics are big there, they do nothing for me. While Atlanta is an attractive market, that is SEC country and always will be. Plus, does anyone in Atlanta really care about Georgia Tech? I could think of five sports-related things to do in Atlanta and Georgia Tech doesn’t make the cut. Sometimes being in a big city doesn’t help.

Syracuse

Putting Syracuse in for basketball alone would be interesting but I just don’t see the value of bringing them in. But I would love to see that big orange on the sidelines.

Stanford

If academics excite you then Stanford is your school. But this isn’t the Ivy League, this is the Big 12 where excitement happens. I don’t want the Big 12 to be associated with their empty stadium.