Stay in ACC vs. go to SEC

If you are Virginia Tech, FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson your small window of opportunity is closing. UNC and Miami probably blew it with all their scandals. As a Clemson fan it makes you frustrated we have had 20 years of "upper mediocrity." If Clemson football was where it could be, like in the 80s with perrenial ten win seasons than the SEC would be beating down the ADs door to join their conference. As it is they might have interest. If I were the SEC I would take FSU first, then Clemson, then Va Tech, then Georgia Tech. Only putting Clemson ahead because I think once Beamer leaves Va Tech will become a decent but not great program. Of course the real gems for football would be Oklahoma, Ok. St. and/or Texas.

But, the real question is should those schools want to leave?
Advantages of staying in the ACC:
Better chance of winning a conference championship.
Better chance of going undefeated in a season.
More geographical rivals, which is not a huge advantage. We would trade Ga Tech and the NC schools for renewing the rivalry with GA and adding Tennessee and Florida.
Much better basketball.

Advantages of leaving for the SEC:
5 million reasons per year, just on the TV deal alone, not to mention which home schedule sells more tickets? This years conference slate of BC, Wake, UNC and FSU OR SC, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia every other year, with a Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Arkansas sprinkled in most years. Ummmm. Tough call.

Much better bowl affiliations.

Improved recruiting in football.

A one loss season could still easily put you in the national championship game.

If you are able to win the SEC, you are so battle tested you are probably going to win the national championship game (See last 5 in a row)

No longer dealing with an ACC conference whose commissioner used to work for UNC.

My answer:
I say you have to push to get into the SEC if you can. I do think that means you will win a lot less conference championships, but Clemson isn't winning any right now. Would you rather be a middle of the road unranked ACC team or a middle of the road #22 ranked SEC team. With the extra money and exposure in the ACC Clemson should be able to compete. The end all dream is a national championship. We did it once in the ACC, but recent history shows your odds are MUCH better winning it if you are in the SEC. But, with our administration thinking that big time football and big time academics cannot happen on the same campus we are probably staying put. I guess they don't notice how good of a school Florida is both academically and athletically.