Florida State may want to leave the ACC, but the Seminoles will need another conference to have serious interest in them first.
In the latest wave of conference realignment, Florida State could be looking to break its grant of rights deal with the ACC to pursue other ventures.
Although Clemson has been the better football program in the ACC throughout the College Football Playoff era, there is no doubt about what football brand carries more weight in the traditionally basketball-centric league. While Florida State doesn't seem to have any issues with ripping the document to shreds, it takes two to tango. So who wants to dance with the 'Noles?
The two leagues who could have some interest in Florida State are the Big Ten and SEC. While adding a traditional power into the mix would provide value to a new league, Florida State isn't North Carolina or Notre Dame, the two brands are out there everyone wants. Whether it be academic standards (Big Ten) or no territory gained (SEC), you can understand the complexities.
ESPN's Heather Dinich asked SEC commissioner Greg Sankey about his league's supposed interest in adding Florida State. He responded by wanting to see how the 16-team league with Oklahoma and Texas shakes out before potentially expanding beyond that. Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia are the four ACC most closely tied to possibly being gobbled up by the SEC.
Let's further examine some of the challenges that would go into Florida State switching leagues.
Florida State ACC exit: Would Seminoles leave for the Big Ten or the SEC?
From a football perspective, the Seminoles would thrive in either league. This is a traditional power in a talent-laden state. While the SEC makes infinitely more sense geographically for the Seminoles to go to, the Big Ten may make sense if they were packaged together with in-state rival Miami. The Hurricanes would be more coveted by the Big Ten because of their academic prowess.
And as far as the SEC is concerned, yes, the league would be getting another power brand in Florida State, but you have to remember one of its founding and most prominent members is Florida. It is for the same reason why North Carolina and Virginia are more valuable additions to the SEC than Clemson and Florida State are. It is wild to think that, but it is all about the eyeballs.
So where do we go from here? It is abundantly clear that the university must make a move first before another league like the Big Ten or SEC come calling. Keep in mind that the Seminoles were a nationally independent powerhouse before joining the ACC in the early 1990s. Yes, that was a different time in the sport, but they have the brand to take on a gap year of sorts if they needed to.
Overall, Florida State seems to want the Big Ten or SEC more than either wants to add the 'Noles.
