To actually engage with your question.....I agree with the guy that says that independents are probably going to have to find a safe haven in a conference. ND has been able to maintain their status because of the huge national fan base and that exclusive contract with NBC. It's no insult to say that neither Clemson nor any other school you can name would not be able to command that kind of deal. Texas has contemplated independent status off and on, but they've never pulled the trigger, and I suspect the main reason is that they see it's ultimately not in their interest.

I know the Big 10 and Pac 12 are in "discussions" about ways to cooperate in order to counteract the growing influence of the SEC. Is the ACC in on that action? I do know that the ACC has firm control over each team's TV rights for many years, so I don't think Clemson could up and leave even if they wanted to.

I'm an SEC fan through and through, but the game is better when there are good, even great, teams scattered all over the country and that, in any given year, a number of teams from different conferences (and not always the same 3 or 4) might have a legit shot at a natty. I'm quite frankly worried about where all this is heading.

This post was edited on 8/17/21 at 6:58 pm