Since news emerged that Notre Dame attempted to bring Stanford and Cal into the ACC, the latest conference realignment saga has taken a huge swing. Unfortunately for the Fighting Irish, their efforts were futile as the conference didn’t approve Stanford and Cal’s admission. While it’s not entirely off the table, it’s a big hurdle. On Friday night, more news emerged, as the schools that voted against the programs’ admissions were revealed.
Brett McMurphy of Action Network posted, “Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, & NC State are the ACC schools against adding Stanford & Cal.” McMurphy indicated that the ACC requires 75 percent approval, meaning they were just one vote away.
Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina & NC State are the ACC schools against adding Stanford & Cal, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. 1st report by SI. W/only 11 of 15 schools (including Notre Dame) in favor, ACC expansion is 1 vote shy of required 75% (12 of 15) to add new members
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 12, 2023
So the conference came close to adding the Cardinal and Golden Bears. However, four of the ACC’s top schools voted against realignment. That doesn’t close the book on it, as the landscape will indicate. But for now, there won’t be any additions.
Stanford and Cal have been in peril lately thanks to the Pac-12’s dissolvement. UCLA and USC set the wheels in motion last summer when they announced their move to the Big Ten. Colorado fled the conference to go back to the Big 12. Then, Oregon and Washington exited for the Big Ten. These moves and Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah moving to the Big 12 have threatened the conference’s livelihood. Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Washington State are in murky territory, and hopefully, they’ll be able to find life rafts.
The CFB world reacted to the news.
This is the second report from Media that Clemson, FSU, UNC and NC State were the no votes.
I would place my bet they aren't the only ones that feel that way. All that was needed is four votes. If UNC voted that way, its not just those four against the rest of the conference.… https://t.co/Hi7jLjtZ8e
— Immaculate (@ImmaculateView) August 12, 2023
Neither UNC nor FSU want nothing to do with the west coast after recent experiences https://t.co/LoHoGn7c4u
— Benny The Beaver (@scoduckz) August 12, 2023
So Stanford and Cal to the ACC. No way someone doesn’t cave now that the names are out. https://t.co/FJopeChWnO
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) August 12, 2023
The ACC keeps making appointments with the marriage counselor and Clemson and Florida State keep calling to cancel them. https://t.co/nk4yRnJRDs
— Dawg Sports (@dawgsports) August 12, 2023
I’ve only been able to confirm 3 of these schools this week (Clemson, FSU and North Carolina) but @Brett_McMurphy and SI have since confirmed NC State as the fourth. https://t.co/svCkxL5LvV
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) August 12, 2023
USC/UCLA vote against expansion in the Pac then leave
FSU & Clemson doing the same for ACC?
Selfish ass programs https://t.co/xeZkfJ3HfG
— Shaun / Pac-12 Superfan (@futurecoug) August 12, 2023
