I'm seeing a lot more rumors about Notre Dame to the B1G and it's starting to make a lot more sense for them than maybe it had in previous years. As far as I'm aware, they still haven't resolved their contract issues with NBC and their current contract expires next year. With the ACC likely the next major conference to break up, ND being independent in football means they only have to pay ACC exit fees for non-football sports. They already play several games per year with the B1G, especially with USC joining. I'm not sure what would hold up a potential deal here. It just makes too much sense for everyone involved IMO.
Another bit of speculation that I've been hearing is that with future expansion still on the table for the B1G and SEC, they are probably shooting or 20-24 teams so that they can create 5 or 6 team divisions. Then, instead of expanding the playoff - in this scenario the ACC is probably dead - they create their own divisional playoff rounds, working up to the existing conference championship games and then SEC vs B1G national championship, so almost like an NFL style model. Everyone else is left out.
I'm wondering who goes where when/if the ACC dies? The most valuable markets are obviously going to be the Florida schools, with Clemson, GT, North Carolina, and the Virginia schools being in relevant markets also. Those are going to be the schools that will be under consideration, maybe dropping both Virginia schools and/or GT. I don't see anyone else in the ACC being even on the radar for either conference.
Does the SEC make a play for all four of Clemson, FSU, Miami, North Carolina (or maybe GT?)... that puts them at 20 teams.
If the B1G gets ND they just need 1 additional team. If they managed to lure FSU, they'd probably get Miami also but they'd be at 21 so I assume they'd look to add more. I'm not sure who else they'd want tbh.
Does anybody want the Virginia schools? Probably not?
