FSU and Clemson are both large, public funded schools, with large alumni and boosters to support. FSU is still the largest revenue producer in the ACC. Why would they stay if the answer is adding UCF, Cincinnati or the leftovers of the BIG12? Other than Clemson, OSU and FSU are the only non-SEC team to win a College Football title in the last decade. They are not really ACC Schools when you consider the makeup of small, private schools and the larger state schools don't care as much about football. Ever been to their stadiums?
The ACC needs ND to join this year, if not, it is just a matter of time before Clemson and FSU leave and the ACC is a basketball conference. They would be smart then to grab WVU, Kansas, and Cincinnati and hope basketball revenue keeps them above the American and CUSA.
If you can have an ACC with FSU, ND, Clemson, Miami, and Va Tech all as strong programs fighting it out for playoff spots, then the league will survive. All strong brands that have been national title contenders that have competed for titles at some point over the last 20-25 years.
Then say Ga Tech and UNC can be stronger contenders, that can make it much much better. GT needs to get into gear as well as they're in the BEST recruiting area in the nation and play in Atlanta.
This is where the league has to be AGGRESSIVE.
Go out and FIGHT for ND now. Who cares what incentives you have to give them, get them signed up.
Go tell FSU that if Norvell isn't turning it around that they need an ELITE hire and to break the bank.
Force Miami and Va Tech to push for excellence. League pressure and help can get them to fly right.
What the SEC super conference will do is give those schools way more $$$$ and exposure. It will matter to recruits for NIL and NFL if everyone flocks there and sees it as the NFL minor league. The Big Ten is gonna fight hard to make sure they don't fall behind either and they're going to poach.
We have to hold our league together.