Recently, there has been quite a bit of steam online about the possibility of the Big 12 adding Clemson and Florida State to its ranks.

It seems certain that the college football realignment carousel will continue spinning in the coming months and years. Moreover, it looks like the ACC will be at the center of the next major shift in the sport.

This is because Clemson and Florida State are attempting to legally extricate themselves from their grant of media rights agreements with the conference. This ongoing saga has captured the attention of many across the college football landscape.

Many have speculated that the Big Ten or the SEC would be the most likely destinations for these two programs if they manage to free themselves from the unfavorable ACC media deal, which runs through 2027. However, some reasonably credible sources are now suggesting on social media that the Big 12 could be the likely destination for these two sought-after universities.

A significant amount of speculation is coming from Greg Swaim, a radio host from Stillwater, Oklahoma, who covers Oklahoma State and the Big 12. This week, during Big 12 Media Days in Las Vegas, he has been actively promoting the idea that Clemson and Florida State may have no better option than to join the Big 12.

On Tuesday, Swaim reported that neither the Big Ten nor the SEC is going to extend an offer to Clemson or Florida State. He shared this information on X, claiming that the Big Ten’s academic standards were a factor and that the SEC has rejected both schools.

BREAKING: As we've said for a year, #FSU and #Clemson will not get a #B1G offer, due to neither being AAU accredited. But from Vegas the talk is the #SEC has now turned the pair down. With new sponsorship the B12 p4obably won't pay quite what the other two do, but with those two… pic.twitter.com/JjKccxisqP

— GREG SWAIM SHOW (@GSwaim) July 10, 2024

It’s not hard to see why the Big Ten might hesitate to add either school due to the lack of AAU accreditation. After all, every member of that conference, except Nebraska, is an AAU institution. This includes the four schools joining the league this summer: Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA.

Meanwhile, the SEC might not see much value in adding Clemson and Florida State. While these two universities have high-profile football programs, there comes a point where adding more schools ceases to make sense for the conference as it means more mouths to feed.

With Texas and Oklahoma already joining the mix this year, would adding Clemson or Florida State significantly impact television viewership for a conference that already enjoys the strongest ratings and has a dominant hold on the Southeastern region of the country?

On Wednesday, Swaim reiterated his stance, suggesting that the Big 12’s television partners might be influencing the situation. He even indicated that talks between the two schools and the Big 12 have intensified.

BREAKING: According to multiple sources tonight who cover conference realignment, back channel conversations have all but ceased between the #SEC and #B1G conferences with #FSU and #Clemson for now.

However talks with the #Big12 have intensified. Don't be shocked if @ESPN and…

— GREG SWAIM SHOW (@GSwaim) July 10, 2024

As expected, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark was asked about expansion in Las Vegas this week. He emphasized that the goal isn’t a specific number of schools but finding the right fit.

“I often get asked about expansion and what’s next,” he said. “I’m really focused on the current composition of our conference. We’ve expanded a lot. My wife reminded me that when I took the job, we had 10 schools. Now we have 16. That’s a lot in a short period, less than 24 months.

“So we need to ensure that, as a collective group, we’re reaching our potential. I haven’t really thought about the right number. It’s not about a number. It’s about the right fit and the value a potential school might or might not bring to the conference.

“But right now, we’re focused on 16. We’re focused on getting this right, and I’m really excited about our future as a 16-team league.”

While Yormark must be discreet, it’s clear that he and the Big 12 would eagerly welcome Clemson and Florida State. These programs would instantly add high-profile football prestige to a conference that has lost that with the departure of Texas and Oklahoma.

Swaim believes the Big 12 could add up to six ACC schools, not just two, but Clemson and Florida State would likely be the first, as they are currently key to holding the ACC together.

Whether or not one believes Swaim’s reporting, there’s increasing speculation about the Big 12 pursuing Clemson and Florida State. This is a story to watch, as such a move would be a significant coup for Yormark.