Stanford, Cal, and SMU to ACC gets a final deadline; CFB insider gives a detailed analysis of the situation

The Atlantic Coast Conference is getting closer to making a decision on expanding. College football realignment has taken over the sport but the ACC has sat on the sidelines biding its time.

With the Pac-12 now down to four schools, Stanford and Cal have both expressed interest in joining the ACC. SMU, which competes in the American Athletic Conference, is also keen on a switch to the ACC.

Originally, the ACC failed to gain the necessary votes to add Stanford and Cal as Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, and NC State all reportedly voted no.

But, Stanford and Cal have since said they would take less or no media payouts for the first few seasons. Because of that, the ACC is set to meet once again to discuss adding the schools, according to CFB reporter Jim Williams.

"The ACC will only call for a meeting to approve the membership for Stanford, Cal and SMU. There's no reason to call for another straw vote to say no. They will either approve the trio for membership or issue a statement saying that they are not expanding hopefully before the of the week," said Jim Williams.

As things stand, it's unclear which way the conference will vote.

Stanford wants to join the ACC and play Power 5 football

Ever since the Pac-12 lost eight of its 12 schools due to realignment, Stanford and Cal have been vocal in their desire to see what other options are out there for them.

Both schools released statements saying they would look outside the Pac-12, and have set their sights on the ACC. Stanford, meanwhile, has made it known they want to keep playing Power 5 football, which is why they are interested in the ACC.

"I think the players that committed to us and came here, they want to play Power 5 football, and that is what our intention is with this university," head coach Troy Taylor said. "I can't imagine anything else."

If Stanford, Cal, and SMU get approved by the ACC, it would allow them to continue playing Power 5 football.