Junction

Could force some movement potentially

The idea that FSU might move to the Big 12...is absolutely ridiculous. Not happening. No way. Not even a 1% chance. If there's flirting going on by FSU, it's to try to get the SEC interested.

If the ACC's current contract was about to expire and they were negotiating a new contract, then yes, this would be a terrible deal. They would have gotten much, much more in a competitive bidding situation. They actually did very well under the circumstances, however. They were in year 3 of a 12 year deal with ESPN. So they were negotiating under a look-in provision of an existing contract and trying to get additional value for adding 2 teams, 14 extra football games and 30 extra basketball games. There is no way you get to market value for the entire contract under those circumstances. Their existing contract with ESPN didn't just go away because they were renegotiating. If they didn't like ESPN's offer, then their only recourse was to go to arbitration. They couldn't open the bidding up to Fox or Time Warner.

FSU could likely earn more than double what they are getting from the ACC contract in the Big 12, assuming the 4 team playoff system is adopted and they sell their Tier 3 rights to the Sunshine network. I suspect that there is not even a 1% chance that they do not seriously consider a jump to the Big 12.

I didn't know about being in year three. That does undercut their negotiating power. Doesn't' change the way a football school will look at other conferences, though. Does FSU care that this is the best deal under the circumstances? Greener pastures (in theory) are in the Big 12.

Don't get me wrong. I think FSU to the Big 12 is a horrible idea, except for the fact that the ACC is getting screwed. I could understand FSU wanting to get out of a basketball conference that pays poorly, though.

If that happens, I think VaTech and NCState will come to the SEC, and the ACC will be put on life support before someone pulls the plug in a year or so.

VaHorn-

Why would the Big 12 prefer Clemson over Va Tech? Outta left field I know, but I can't wrap my head around it.

It's really not so much what the Big 12 wants--it's what's available.

Supposedly there is a group of 3 SEC teams (Florida, Georgia, and S. Carolina) that have agreed to vote as a group to block the addition of any additional schools from those three states. They realize the power of the SEC and want to be the only teams in their respective states in the SEC. Three "No" votes is enough to block expansion of a school. This would block Clemson and Florida State from admission to the SEC. This is why those 2 teams have been talked about so much recently as transfers to the Big 12. They couldn't get into the SEC. (As an aside, I'd love TAMU to join that group and add Texas to the group of states that would block another Texas school from joining the SEC)

The Big 12 might want Va Tech. I don't know. I think Va Tech knows that if any seismic changes take place--for example 2 of the biggest football schools in the ACC leave--they have a place at the dinner table at the SEC. I don't see Va tech jumping to the Big 12. If they want to jump, I'll be Mike Slive receives them with open arms. That would add a large population to the SEC footprint, be in a contiguous state, be a good cultural fit, and no upset any current members of the SEC.

UVA did a shitload of things to get VT in the ACC

Because Clemson is better than VT

Remember when everyone said we would never be in seperate conferences than texas? **IF** FSU leaves the ACC, its a whole new ballgame. Every football school will be looking for their best option, including VT.

I'm sure the SEC is being proactive to make sure VT knows they have a home if FSU bolts.

CoahSumlin- clemson is not a better option in any way.

I don't think that the Big 12 gets to pick first. There are a couple of big reasons why the SEC might not want to add FSU. Neither of those reasons apply to Va Tech. I suspect they know that and would hold out for an SEC offer. FSU/Clemson to the Big 12 is an easier sell for both schools than it would be for either to go alone.

Clemson is us in every way possible

VT does not have a good fanbase and brings very little money

Where as Clemson is the exact opposite. They are a SEC fanbase stuck in the ACC. They have a better basketball and baseball programs than VT also.

And neither FSU or Clemson are going to the SEC