It’s that time of year again where all the discussions are about conference expansion. It’s certainly not surprising that Florida State and Clemson are at the center of new rumors, though this time, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are rumored to get new Big Ten rivals, but it won’t be the Seminoles or Tigers.
Several reports have come out of the Big 12 media days that the conference could be coming after FSU and Clemson. And it seems as if those two teams are listening, precisely because the Big Ten is unlikely to take either.
BREAKING: As we've said for a year, #FSU and #Clemson will not get a #B1G offer, due to neither being AAU accredited. But from Vegas the talk is the #SEC has now turned the pair down. With new sponsorship the B12 p4obably won't pay quite what the other two do, but with those two… pic.twitter.com/JjKccxisqP
— GREG SWAIM SHOW (@GSwaim) July 10, 2024
The sticking point is that neither Florida State or Clemson are AAU teams. Currently, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are the only team in the conference without AAU designation. However, when the ACC does start to break apart because of the Seminoles and Tigers, one analyst believes there are a couple that could come to the Big Ten.
Nebraska Cornhuskers could have some new Big Ten rivals, just not who you think
Sam Farriss of Saturday Blitz took a try at predicting where the rest of the ACC might end up and she named at least a couple of teams that could be believable. She also named two that wouldn’t come for the same reason as Clemson and Florida State.
“The Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels have to remain in the same conference for the sake of everyone's sanity. On the other hand, Boston College, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse could compete with some of the Big Ten football teams.”
Syracuse and Boston College are the two teams that would almost certainly be told no as they’re not AAU. But Duke, North Carolina and Pitt would certainly be interesting. Especially with Pitt joining in-state rival Penn State.
It seems like things are moving towards the Nebraska Cornhuskers getting more Big Ten rivals. Exactly who it might be isn’t written in stone yet.