Condoleezza Rice, George W. Bush making push for ACC to add Stanford and SMU

Stanford and SMU are hoping that the big names can help their case for the ACC

Despite the fact that Stanford has come up one vote short of being accepted into the ACC, it doesn't mean they won't stop trying to change some minds.

Earlier on Thursday it was reported by Jim Williams that they had confidence they could join by the end of this week, which he later appeared to change his tune on. 

However, Stanford and SMU, who are also trying to get the nod approval to join the conference, both turned to some notable people to help make their case to the ACC. According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the 43rd president George W. Bush have both been in contact with ACC officials about them adding Stanford and SMU. 

The reports come after Stanford and fellow Pac-12 survivor Cal came one vote short of being granted entry, and after SMU was also essentially taken out of consideration. 

For Stanford, they are widely viewed as the best program available, but it appears their past few years of have down football have really hurt their reputation. When it comes down to their ACC entry they just need one of North Carolina, NC State, Florida State and Clemson to change their minds, something that they are hoping with some lobbying from Rice can do.