Conference Realignment: How Will FSU and Clemson Impact Miami?
Clemson and Florida State are reportedly going to head to the Big 10. Based on the following tweet, the antennas need to be up at the very least.
There have been an almost uncountable number of podcasts and articles about how schools like Clemson and FSU want out of the ACC and seek greener ($$$) pastures.
With how poorly the ACC deal is set up for the member schools to leave the conference, however, there are serious financial obstacles. Perhaps the above tweet alludes to someone – or a group of investors, boosters, etc. – to pony up and deal with the massive buyout.
Beyond the legal jargon that FSU and Clemson have to deal with, there’s the fallout for other members of the conference that stay behind.
In particular, what about Miami?
Will the Canes look to stay in an ACC that would lose to critical members if the Tigers and Seminoles do indeed leave for the Big 10?
If Florida State and Clemson head to the #Big10, what does that do for Miami's long-term conference options? What should #TheU try and do?
— canesandnolesrivalry (@canesandnoles) August 1, 2023
Your prediction for what the likely outcome will be...?
At some point, realistically, the ACC television deal is just not any place near as valuable without those two schools staying. Miami would be placed in a unique scenario.
While there’s no crystal ball to project how this will play out, consider a few additional questions, among many, beyond the money and the television contract.
What would FSU heading to the Big 10 do to the rivalry between the Canes and Noles?
That’s a very important rivalry in college football, and within the state of Florida in particular. There are no guarantees it stays together with conference realignment swallowing up the Seminoles, however.
What would Miami’s options be to play Clemson moving forward?
Like with the Noles, the Canes need other quality opponents to make them an attractive College Football Playoff team. While other possibilities certainly abound, that could be one quality team off the table – at least periodically – and hurt Miami’s chances.
On the other hand, could losing FSU and Clemson actually help Miami, at least short term?
If Miami is a part of a reduced ACC, could the Canes make their way through the season undefeated a little bit more easily? There’s much to unpack with that question, but it’s one to ponder.
Recruiting will be impacted in what way?
The number of recruits that bring up the Miami versus FSU rivalry as a reason they rooted for one or the other school, it’s all but limitless. Thus, if they do not play every year, hard to say what that does for the recruiting battles. Again, something to consider.
Overall, there are more questions that one can comprehend right now. It’s not like Miami and FSU would never play again (that’s just not realistic). How the money works out, the teams being played annually in the ACC, etc., all impact the Hurricanes.
It’s complex and confusing. Hopefully there will be some answers sooner than later about what the Noles and Tigers will do so Miami fans gain a better sense of what’s to come long-term.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.