1. Clemson Tigers
Clemson is the team that has had the most success of any program outside of the SEC in the playoff era. The only team in the country with more success is Alabama.
With all of the moves happening, it seems clear that this match would be perfect for both sides. And if a Pac-12 and Big 12 merger happens, then the ACC could end up falling far behind making them a distant 4th in the conference rankings.
For Clemson, while they don’t have the most storied history in the nation, they have become a blue blood in college football over the last decade.
Since Dabo Swinney took over head coaching duties they’ve won two national championships and been to the playoffs more than any team other than Alabama. And in the College Football Playoff Era they have a 13-4 record against the SEC.
It’s clear they can play with the “big boys”.
Also, Clemson already has an in-state rivalry with South Carolina in the SEC. Being in the Southeast, it would make sense geographically for them to join (if that truly matters to them at this point).
Clemson truly is the most perfect fit out of any team remaining in the country right now. And when conferences are put on their heels (like the Pac-12) teams don’t wait up. So it wouldn’t be shocking to see Clemson make the jump from the ACC.
They have some of the most impressive facilities in the country, they recruit among the top teams in the country, their assistant coaches get head coaching jobs elsewhere, and they have a stadium and atmosphere right up there with the best in the country.
Those are SEC qualities.
The question isn’t whether they should, but rather who should make the jump with them.