The landmark settlement between Florida State, Clemson, and the ACC, expected to be finalized this week, doesn’t end all chaos in college football—but it does bring a certain sense of stability to the sport that has been rocked by conference realignment in recent years.
Should the parties successfully settle their four collective lawsuits, the ACC will have secured its future with its current 18 members (17 for football, with Notre Dame remaining independent in the most valuable sport) until at least 2036, when its grant of rights contract expires.
While the Big Ten and SEC remain the dominant conferences on and off the field, a stable ACC is still key for the College Football Playoff, which is exploring format changes like bracket seeding for this upcoming season, and even bigger moves in 2026, like further expansion.
The ACC placed two teams into the inaugural 12-team CFP after Clemson upset SMU in the conference championship game. The Tigers earned an automatic playoff berth, and the Mustangs were awarded the final spot in the field, controversially booting Alabama.
Power Moves
While it was unlikely FSU or Clemson would have left the ACC ahead of the 2025 college football season, sustained uncertainty around their place in the conference would have further complicated what comes next for the sport’s power brokers.
Any changes to the format for 2025 will require approval from the CFP management committee, which consists of 10 conference commissioners—including the ACC’s Jim Phillips—and Notre Dame’s athletic director, as well as the board of managers, comprising 11 university presidents and chancellors.
However, in 2026, power will shift to the Big Ten and SEC, which will have the majority of control on decision-making from then on under the CFP’s new contract.
Picking Up the Pieces
Despite the unexpected peace, it’s still entirely possible FSU and/or Clemson will grow unhappy with their conference affiliation before 2036. As evidenced by the $100 million early exit of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 to the SEC, moves can happen quickly.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is still rebuilding, as it needs to add one more football-playing member by 2026 to retain its Division I status. Incumbents Oregon State and Washington are set to be joined by Boise State, Utah State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and Gonzaga (no football).
