FSU & Clemson Fans Take Notice!

The ACC is a conference best known for two things: basketball and academics. It will soon be known for a third thing… the first major conference to be relegated to second-class status as a football power.

And all the remaining football-centric schools will face the same fate if they don’t find a way out.

Florida State and Clemson have a way out.

Don’t buy the argument they can’t afford the ACC buyout. Don’t buy the argument academics will keep them rooted to the ACC.

It’s a simple matter of economics. If they stay they will be relegated, right along with their conference, to irrelevancy.

If you still have doubts consider the significance of the announcement today that the SEC and Big 12 have agreed to “partner” in a bowl game.

The timing of the announcement was not by accident. It was directly aimed at FSU’s president Eric Barron to help him understand the consequences of staying in the ACC -- irrelevancy.

We know who the four major college football conferences will be now and FSU, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Maryland and VPI have to understand that remaining in the ACC means a date with the Big East champion in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in balmy “New York City” in January.

Today’s announcement by the Big 12 and SEC also means that Notre Dame will not be riding in on a white horse to save the ACC.

The Irish have only two legitimate conference homes available to them now that its clear the ACC has been marginalized – the Big 12 or the Big 10.

Florida State fans need to take special note.

Florida State’s move to the Big 12 is inevitable, all my sources assure me that both Clemson and FSU are safely in the Big 12’ net, but  I can’t help but shake the feeling that the longer Eric Barron can resist pressure from his Board of Trustees the more he would like to find a reason to stay in the ACC.

The Seminole faithful need to take a lesson from Missouri’s fans let both Eric Barron and the Board of Trustees know you want to see FSU continue to be a major player in college football and compete at the highest level - let them know you support the move to the Big 12. 

Clemson’s fans would do well to take this advice too.

Otherwise you might find yourself in a conference poached by the SEC and Big 10 while the Big 12 is forced to add Big East teams to fill out their ranks.

You know what to do… now go do it.