Conference realignment reportedly gaining momentum as ACC teams set to join Big 10 or Big 12 expansion

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a significant transformation. Following the addition of new teams by the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, and Atlantic Coast Conference this offseason, it appears that the Power Five is still in the process of expanding.

Following the implosion of George Kliavkoff's Pac-12, it appears the ACC's Jim Phillips is next in line to suffer the same fate. According to college football insider Greg Swaim, the conference is set to witness an exodus in the next phase of conference realignment, with its teams moving to other Power conferences.

"Yes, the #Big12 is absolutely going to poach multiple teams from the #ACC, and ironically it's been confirmed to me by the exact same source in Chicago who's helped me out with info a year ago that the Four Corners #Pac12 schools would join the #Big12," Swaim tweeted.

"He's let me know repeatedly ovee the years that the B10 will NOT add any non AAU accredited schools. He also helped me many years ago about the four team B12 exodus, and then their later additions. I'm as confident as I've ever been about the ACC exodus to the B12, but they'll only take between 4-6 schools, so if a school misses out in this round of musical chairs, they're likely left out of the P3, as at that point it's not likely that the remaining ACC teams will have much "power".

The ACC is currently in a chaotic situation as a host of teams continue to push to leave the conference. On the other hand, the Big 12 and the SEC are waiting to take advantage of the situation. This could mark another brutal collapse of a Power Five conference in college football.

Big 12 expansion taking a new turn

Since becoming Big 12 commissioner, Brett Yormark has consistently stated that the league is open to value-based expansion. He ensured a smooth transition for Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, and BYU in 2023.

The expansion of the conference is set to take a whole new turn in the next phase of conference realignment. According to Greg Swaim, the Big 12 is already in discussion with Florida State and Clemson over the possibility of adding both schools, who are leading the push for a potential breakup of the ACC.

While the discussion for a possible realignment is going well with the Seminoles and the Tigers, Swaim reports that the Big 12 is open to adding more teams from the ACC. The Big 12 is exploring the possibility of adding four to six teams from the ACC in its next phase of expansion, rendering the ACC powerless.

ACC lawsuits have massive effects on the conference realignment landscape

While the Big 12 continues to move swiftly with its expansion plans regarding ACC teams, the pending lawsuit within the conference is bound to dictate how things will unfold.

Clemson and Florida State are currently in separate legal battles with the conference to secure an exit without paying the required departure fee worth a whopping $120 million.

The result will determine the next phase of college football conference realignment. The Big 12 and the SEC are closely monitoring the situation, as they hold significant interest in a host of ACC teams.