College football realignment rumors: ACC pulls in life boats for Pac-12 schools

The ACC was reportedly having exploratory talks about adding Cal and Stanford with the Pac-12’s future in doubt. Now, it looks both schools will have to look elsewhere.

The future of the Pac-12 football conference is in serious doubt after the mass exodus of programs. This month alone, they lost Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten, and Arizona, Utah, Arizona State, and Colorado to the Big 12. With that, there were four schools left in the conference — Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, and Washington State.

For Cal and Stanford, it looked as though a life preserver was thrown their way, courtesy of the ACC. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported this week that the conference was holding exploratory talks about adding Cal and Stanford in two calls — one with ACC athletic directors, and another with league presidents and chancellors. And with that, it looked as though there was a chance for the two schools to find a new home outside of the Pac-12.

But on Wednesday night, Thamel had a follow-up report regarding the talks the ACC held. Well, per Thamel, the ACC presidents met and said that the potential pursuit of Cal and Stanford “hit significant roadblocks.” Thamel then adds that both schools faced uphill odds to join the ACC.

Cal and Stanford additions to ACC reportedly ‘hit significant roadblocks’

Brett McMurphy of The Action Network reported that Notre Dame was pushing to add Cal and Stanford to the ACC, but there was no vote held on Wednesday night due to there being not enough support. An expansion requires 12-of-15 presidents to vote yes. The news of Notre Dame looking to add Cal and Stanford was first reported by Larry Williams of Tiger Illustrated.

Before the additions of Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten, Cal, and Stanford were also considered by the conference. As we all know, the Ducks and Huskies were the only schools officially added by the Big Ten, with the Golden Bears and Cardinal on the outside looking in.

This week, Eric Prisbell of On3 Sports reported that the American Athletic Conference (AAC) was interested in adding some or all of the four remaining Pac-12 schools. The AAC is a Group of Five (G5) conference.

The first dominoes of a potential fall of the Pac-12 began last year when it was announced that the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins would make the jump to the Big Ten. The move would become official starting in the 2024 season. Over a year later, six more Pac-12 schools defected, with their moves also becoming official in 2024.

Unless things change with the ACC, things are looking bleak for Cal and Stanford, and it will be back to the drawing board for them.