Longhorns Country

Clemson and Florida State to Join Texas Longhorns in SEC?

Just when it seemed like it was over, more conference realignment could be on the way very soon, headlined by the Clemson Tigers.

Matt Galatzan

In this story:

Following the announcement of SMU, California and Stanford's impending move to the ACC, the Clemson Tigers are one of three key members of the conference that could be aiming for an exit, According to reports from The Post and Courier. 

A source from the school also told the publication that news on a coming move could come “sooner than later,” and that fans should “stay very tuned.”

The Tigers, along with Florida State and North Carolina, were reportedly the only members of the conference to vote against the induction of the new members.

Should the Tigers, Seminoles, and Tarheels leave the ACC, logic would dictate that the SEC would be the preferred destination.

Besides the fact that the SEC is fit from a geographical and cultural footprint - Clemson and Florida State have their natural rivalries of South Carolina and Florida in the conference already - the conference also currently sits at 16 teams following the additions of Oklahoma and Texas, while the Big 10 sits at 18 teams.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs against Florida State Seminoles linebacker Karen DeLoach (4) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium.
Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

In other words, Clemson and Florida State could bring The SEC to 18 teams, though should North Carolina follow, it would send the conference to an odd number.

The Big 12 also has 16 teams. That said, Oregon State and Washington State are still looking for a home and could be the 17th and 18th teams the Big 12 is looking for.

Another question that emerges from these revelations, is what will happen with the Duke Blue Devils, who remain the Tarheel's arch rival. 

And should Duke elect to follow UNC, along with Clemson and FSU, it could mean an even 20-team SEC, opening the door for Oregon State and Washington State to reunite with their arch-rivals Washington and Oregon, and make the Big 10 a 20-team league as well.

No matter the case, however, it's possible that the Longhorns and Sooners might not be alone in joining the SEC for very long. 

Published
Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.

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