• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025

How Will the ACC, Pac-12, and Group of 5 Shake Out?

  • Clemson and Florida State may not leave the ACC after all.
  • The Pac-12 has raided the Mountain West and still needs more schools.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The future of Florida State and Clemson in the ACC has been the biggest remaining question surrounding the latest wave of conference realignment. But there could be some unexpected progress in discussions between the schools and the conference. 

Amid lawsuits among the three parties, the ACC is now said to be exploring a new revenue distribution model that could lead to the schools changing their mind on exploring exits, according to Yahoo Sports. Conference leaders have reviewed a plan to create a separate pot of revenue to be divided based on media value metrics. 

Last year, the ACC approved a plan to financially reward schools for better on-field performance. But further changes to how the ACC doles out its cash could give programs with a larger following like FSU and Clemson more money no matter how much they win.

Best of the Rest

Beyond the ACC’s future, plenty of unknowns remain around how the Pac-12’s rebuild will affect the Group of 5 conferences. 

The Pac-12’s addition of Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State will not only impact the Mountain West, but also have a domino effect across the country. The Pac-12 still needs to add at least two more schools by 2026 to maintain its FBS status, and the Mountain West will want to add to its eight remaining programs, and make sure they don’t exit, too.

Of the 134 current FBS schools, 67 are in Power 4 conferences, and Notre Dame is an independent. That leaves 66 schools to fit into the new “Group of 6,” if you will, assuming the Pac-12 lives on alongside the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West, and Sun Belt. (UConn and UMass are currently independent in football, too.)

Musical Chairs

There are new reports and rumors seemingly every day, but it’s undeniable that nearly every school and conference are at least exploring all their options.

AAC members Memphis and Tulane are said to be the next top targets for the Pac-12, according to The Athletic. Also under consideration are Mountain West schools Air Force and UNLV. Lower on the list is the AAC’s UTSA, North Texas, and South Florida, and the Sun Belt’s Texas State.

However, Air Force is also said to be a serious target of the AAC, per ESPN. That would put the academy in the same conference as its military academy counterparts Army and Navy.

New Mexico State would make geographical sense for the Mountain West, which already includes New Mexico. And FCS programs like North Dakota State, Sacramento State, and Tarleton State (Texas), potentially looking to make the jump to FBS, could be options for multiple conferences looking to add members.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jason Belzer

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”

Steelers’ Shared Stadium With Pitt Comes Under Fire for Bad Turf

The conditions at Acrisure Stadium have been subpar this season.

Texas-Oklahoma Gets 8.7M Viewers, Most-Watched CFB Game of Week 7

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched game of the weekend.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.
October 13, 2025

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.