“There are two possible outcomes: either FSU and Clemson find a way to financially leave the ACC, or all parties find a way to work together and those two programs can look for another conference,” Pool began, before adding, “But if that did happen, the ACC would be losing arguably its two most valuable members when it comes to college football.” Additionally, as was the case with the Pac-12, the departure of a few well-known universities could inspire several others to follow suit.

“It’s probable that some programs would be abandoned by the power leagues if the ACC were to entirely disband, which would be detrimental to the Group of Five. Maybe the Sun Belt or the AAC work out a deal with the remaining ACC teams.”

Where would ACC schools go if FSU and Clemson leave the conference?

In the unlikely event that the ACC’s backup plan to include Memphis, Tulane, USF, UConn, Oregon State, and Wazzu materializes, several AAU-accredited universities (including UNC, UVA, Miami, Pitt, Duke, and GA Tech) may find a home in the Big Ten.

Along with Louisville, NC State, VA Tech, and Pitt or GA Tech, the Big 12 is also seen to be a potential destination for them. Wake Forest seems to be going someplace with at least one of its opponents from Tobacco Road.

For teams like Syracuse and BC, it seems excessive to be in the MAC. If anything, universities from the ACC that were left behind when the conference fell apart would probably become independents before seeing any seismic benefits in a Group of Five conference with G5 programs that already existed.