Is ACC implosion imminent as teams likely target Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC expansion moves? Conference realignment theories explored

Following what happened to the Pac-12 last summer, an ACC implosion is a likely occurrence in the ongoing phase of conference realignment. The league is currently in the midst of chaos that poses an existential threat as a couple of schools are seeking their way out by legal means.

According to college football insider Greg Swaim, the ACC is projected to break in the 2026–27 athletic season.

This will be in the 11th year of the 20-year media deal with ESPN and both FSU and Clemson are making the argument that their grants of rights only entail the first 10 years.

Both the Seminoles and the Tigers have filed separate lawsuits against the ACC in their home state. The league has also replied with a counter-suit in North Carolina, where the conference is headquartered. The outcome of the case will have a lot to do with the future of the ACC.

10 ACC teams reportedly exploring a new conference realignment destination

With a significant level of uncertainty clouding the future of the ACC, members are likely not wasting time making decisions about the future. No team within the league would want to be found in the same situation as Oregon State and Washington State following the Pac-12’s implosion.

College football insider Greg Swaim reports that ten teams from the conference are already exploring possibilities. It is said that they are already discussing with the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 via third parties on a potential conference realignment in the case of a breakup.

According to Swaim, Florida State and Clemson are already working on conference realignment options to avert being in limbo should a breakup occur. The likes of North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, Georgia Tech and a couple of others are said to be among the schools involved.

Jim Phillips vows to protect the ACC

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips sent a decisive message to Florida State and Clemson on Monday, asserting that his leadership will vigorously defend the conference. He made the statement in response to the turmoil caused by the recent lawsuits.

"I can state that we will fight to protect the ACC and our members for as long as it takes," Phillips said during the Media Days. "We are confident in this league and that it will remain a premier conference in college athletics for the long-term future,” he added.

It remains to be seen how the situation within the conference unfolds amid the ongoing legal battle. A breakup within the ACC will definitely mark a new shift in the college football conference realignment landscape.