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Paul Finebaum is one of the most prominent voices in SEC football. With realignment becoming much more widespread in college sports, the conference is set to grow in the summer of 2024. Furthermore, four of the Power Five conferences will face realignment in one way or another.
With reports suggesting that seven ACC schools are looking at moving, Finebaum suggested that the North Carolina Tar Heels make the most sense for SEC expansion.
Which seven ACC schools have considered realignment?
The ACC is the only Power Five conference that won't be affected by realignment over the next year. Recent reports, however, have suggested that seven schools are growing discontent with the conference. According to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, those schools, labeled 'The Magificent 7' are the Clemson Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, North Carolina Tar Heels, North Carolina State Wolfpack, Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies. McMurphy took to Twitter, stating:
"Clemson, FSU, Miami, UNC, NC State, Virginia & Virginia Tech are “The Magnificent 7” ACC schools, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. These schools, @RossDellenger reported, have met in past several months, w/lawyers examining grant-of-rights to determine just how unbreakable it is. ACC deal runs thru 2036."
Check out Brett McMurphy's tweet below:
If the majority of the conference is in agreement, the grant-of-rights agreement will be dissolved, placing the schools in an interesting position. It is currently unclear if the schools will look to leave the ACC or negotiate a new television deal. In order to maintain the majority, the 'Magnificent 7' will need one more program to join them.
Why does Paul Finebaum believe the SEC should target North Carolina?
The SEC is set to grow by two teams next summer as the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns will join the conference. Paul Finebaum believes that the North Carolina Tar Heels should be the next target of the SEC, assuming that the ACC breaks up. During a recent appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, the SEC analyst stated:
"I would go for North Carolina first, because they really hit a lot of different boxes. Number one, they're the dominant university in one of the 10 or 11 largest states in the country. That doesn't matter as much as it used to from a television footprint, but they do cover a lot there.
"They have a respectable football program. They have an elite basketball program, which I don't think is driving anyone other than maybe a few out West, but they just bring a lot to the table overall. After that, I think it's a debate between Miami, Florida State and Clemson."
Check out Paul Finebaum's comments below:
Paul Finebaum added that Clemson and Florida State do not bring much to the SEC despite their winning ways. He noted that the states of South Carolina and Florida already cover the SEC plenty.
