Dan Patrick on possibility of SEC adding 3 ACC programs: 'They'd do it in a second'
Dan Patrick, the syndicated radio host, has kept his pulse on the changing dynamics of college sports realignment, and he offered the latest update on Friday.
Patrick responded to a report from Saturday Down South’s Matt Hayes, and Paul Finebaum of ESPN.
“There was a report that came out and refuted what I said,” Patrick said. “Said the SEC is not looking to expand. I don’t believe that for a second. If the SEC could add Clemson, Florida State and Miami, they’d do it in a second. Absolutely.”
Patrick recalled that Finebaum said that the ACC, without Notre Dame, has no chance with competing with the SEC and Big Ten.
“I think Clemson wants out of the ACC badly, so does Florida State,” Patrick said. “This is all predicated on Notre Dame, by the way. I think if Notre Dame stays an independent for now probably nothing more happens. But I think things are going to happen. Way too much activity going on. Love Paul, but I told you this a couple of days ago. Also with Notre Dame, I was told Notre Dame is probably staying an independent, at least this year. If Notre Dame would join a conference, it’d probably be the Big Ten.”
Patrick added that the new television contract in 2025 is when things “explode” and that’s when a 12- or even 16-team College Football Playoff arrives. Patrick said that could be an era of 4 super conferences with 16 teams in each.
“It’s going to happen, it’s inevitable, the money is there,” Patrick said. “They’ve always followed the money. This is going to be the NFL, but a larger version of the NFL. If you’re able to get Clemson and Florida State. If you’re Notre Dame, whether it’s true or not, and I have to check with my source on this, if Notre Dame goes to the Big Ten, then does the SEC say, ‘All right, then we’re going after Clemson, Florida State and Miami.”