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Florida State president denies SEC rumors

Nakos updated headshotby: Pete Nakos08/03/21PeteNakos_
Florida State
Florida State

On Monday, reports surfaced that Florida State and Clemson had reached out to the SEC about joining the conference. The Tigers denied the news later Monday night and the Seminoles issued a response on Tuesday.

“I want to be clear that persistent reports that Florida State has been in contact with the Southeastern Conference are untrue,” Seminoles president John Thrasher said in a statement. “We have had no communication with the SEC or any representatives of the SEC.”

SEC reports surface

Marc Ryan of ESPNUpstate.com first reported that Clemson and Florida State had made contact with the SEC on Monday. Similar to the way Texas and Oklahoma exited the Big 12, Clemson and Florida State were reportedly interested in parting ways with the ACC.

But shortly after the story surfaced, Clemson issued a response denying Ryan’s reporting.

“There is no truth to the report that Clemson University has been in contact with the Southeastern Conference regarding membership,” a Clemson spokesperson said.

Florida State’s statement Tuesday echoed the statement put out by the Tigers. No additional reports have been made corroborating the initial reporting by ESPNUpstate.com.

What Clemson and Florida State to the SEC would mean

With the new wave of conference realignment starting up, the idea of Clemson and Florida State bolting to the SEC was not surprising. But the Seminoles are trying to rebuild while the Tigers have won six-consecutive ACC titles. Leaving does not make the most sense for either program.

The ACC has not lost a school since Maryland headed to the Big Ten in 2014. Both Clemson and Florida State are two of the most recognizable brands in college football. The Tigers have made six-straight College Football Playoff appearances and won two national titles during the playoff era.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles have struggled since Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M in 2018, but they still have a storied tradition. They have won three national titles, the last coming in 2013.

The ACC can’t afford to lose its two most recognizable brands, especially to the SEC with the next wave of conference realignment on the horizon.