8 schools might join FSU to aid the ACC's fallout amid rumors of a possible conference realignment and merger plans: Reports

The Florida State Seminoles (FSU) have a chance to be the next domino in terms of conference realignment. They are reportedly unhappy with their situation in the Atlantic Coast Conference and are one of many teams demanding more money. However, their media rights deal lasts for 20 years, which means they cannot make more until the contract is either amended or completed.

College football insider C.W. Lambert tweeted out what FSU's plans could be:

"FSU's plan is obvious. They plan to agitate so much that the ACC lets them out at a discount or they create enough concern about the future of the conference that 8 schools join with them to kill the ACC."

If there are eight teams that are going to be looking elsewhere, that is not a good sign of the health of the conference.

Do FSU remain in the ACC or do they switch conferences?

August 15 is the deadline for any team in the ACC to notify the conference they are leaving before the 2024 season. Right now FSU does not have a Board of Regents meeting scheduled, meaning they are likely not leaving after this season.

However, it is clear that the Seminoles are not happy right now with the conference. It looks like Florida State and Clemson will join the Southeastern Conference as expansion teams.

Earlier this month, Florida State Seminoles President Richard McCullough made it publicly known he is not in favor of the media rights deal in place.

"We of course are not satisfied with our current situation. We love the ACC. We love our partners at ESPN. Our goal would be to continue to stay in the ACC but staying in the ACC under the current situation is hard for us to figure out how we remain competitive unless there was a major chance in the revenue distribution within the conference in the ACC conference itself." H/t AL.com

What happens to the ACC if Florida State leaves?

Just because FSU leaves the conference does not mean the end for the ACC. The Pac-12 has a similar issue and a potential merger is not out of the question. A continental conference seems to be more of an attraction to the Power Five commissioners right now.

Florida State is a top program, but it might not be one of the ACC's top programs for much longer.