• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

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

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.
Jun 10, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; A NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

College Athletes Can Bet on Pro Sports Starting in November

An NBA player and coach were charged Thursday in a sports betting investigation.

Big 12’s Yormark Defends Slow NIL Go Approvals: ‘That’s Not a Glitch’

Collectives have been starting to pay players without approvals.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
Tony Vitello
October 22, 2025

Tony Vitello’s Stunning MLB Jump Comes With $3M Tennessee Buyout

Vitello heads to San Francisco after winning a national championship in 2024.
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
October 23, 2025

CFB’s Chaotic (and Pricey) Coaching Carousel Only Getting Started

Firings have already accounted for roughly $116 million.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Texas Tech tortillas
October 22, 2025

Texas Tech Is Attempting a Tortilla Crackdown 

Rebellious students are known to smuggle the tortillas in their underwear.
Tom Izzo
October 22, 2025

Tom Izzo Rips ‘Ridiculous’ NCAA Move Allowing Former G Leaguers

Michigan State didn’t know an eligibility change had been made, he said.
BYU
October 20, 2025

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.
Indiana
October 20, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Sports World—Again

After successful NBA and WNBA seasons, Indiana’s football teams are thriving.