CFB insider predicts ACC dam to burst with $19 million payout for teams joining Big 12 expansion as part of conference realignment

The Big 12 expansion through conference realignment has been one of the more intriguing storylines this season. The Atlantic Coast Conference collapse is one of the main ways people envision the Big 12 expansion to happen, which makes sense.

On Friday, College football insider Greg Swaim discussed how the Big 12 expansion could cause the ACC collapse on X, formerly Twitter.

The previous conference realignment saw the Big 12 expansion include the Houston Cougars, UCF Knights, Cincinnati Bearcats and BYU Cougars. Each new school receives $18 million this year and $19 million the following year. It will be interesting to see if the Big 12 contract escalator clauses help these ACC programs officially make the jump.

Which teams make the most sense for Big 12 expansion through conference realignment?

The ACC has been going through difficult times as the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles are in a legal battle with the conference. If they win in the courts and get the Grant of Rights Agreement nullified, they should be some of the main targets in the Big 12 expansion.

With the bonus being discussed, using which the Big 12 persuaded the Colorado Buffaloes to join it, these two schools seem to be the biggest fish. Further, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has publicly said they are not interested in expanding the Southeastern Conference. So, these schools are limited to the Big Ten or the Big 12 to stay in a power conference.

Another two ACC programs that make sense for conference realignment would be the Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels have been one of the top men's basketball programs, while the Hurricanes have a rich history in college football.

The Big 12 has been trying to expand into different markets. And Miami, a hotbed for college recruits, would be a massive addition to the conference. It will be interesting to see which teams, if any, can make the move ahead of the Aug. 15 deadline.