Amid conference realignment talks and potential shake-ups in college athletics, the Memphis Tigers find themselves at a critical juncture regarding their conference affiliation. With rumors swirling about the imminent collapse of the ACC and the subsequent fallout, Memphis must consider its next move carefully.
According to prominent college football radio host Greg Swaim, the Big 12 Conference is eyeing several potential additions, including Louisville, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Pittsburgh or Georgia Tech, once the ACC disintegrates. Swaim’s insights suggest that the ACC’s demise could be triggered by the departure of powerhouse programs like Florida State and Clemson to the SEC and North Carolina and Virginia to the Big Ten.
“Sources tonight tell us that Clemson and FSU to the SEC, with AAU accredited schools UNC and UVA to the Big Ten,” Swaim prefaced before saying, “After this, the ACC becomes untenable, as the media revenue after losing those schools will be similar to the Pac-12 after losing USC and UCLA.”
“Of course, at that point, the remaining schools with a Big 12 offer for twice what the ACC pays will likely take it. The four schools the B12 would want are Louisville, NC State, and Pitt or GA Tech. The rest? I guess ask Wazzu and the Beavs, but we’ve seen this movie before… just a year ago!”
Considering these developments, Swaim predicts that the remaining ACC schools may seek refuge in other conferences, with the Big 12 emerging as an attractive option due to its lucrative television deal. With ESPN potentially opting out of the ACC’s TV contract, remaining schools would be left scrambling for alternatives, making the Big 12’s offer of double the ACC’s revenue particularly enticing.
While the ACC may have contingency plans that include Memphis, among other schools like Tulane, Washington State, Oregon State, UConn, and USF, it’s uncertain whether these measures can salvage the conference’s Power status. The looming departure of top-tier programs threatens the ACC’s viability as a Power 4 conference, potentially leaving its remaining members in limbo.
Considering these developments, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Memphis would be best served by positioning itself to join the Big 12 Conference. The financial stability and competitive opportunities afforded by the Big 12, coupled with the potential formation of two super conferences comprising the Big 12, SEC, and Big Ten, make it a strategic choice for the Tigers’ long-term interests. As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, Memphis must align itself with a conference that offers stability and growth potential in the years to come.
