A 32-team super conference wouldn’t include Syrause, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Stanford, Cal, and SMU.
According to Greg Swaim, a longtime college sports radio host, seven current ACC teams are not expected to make the cut for a proposed 32-team super conference. This super conference is rumored to be a spin-off from an 80-team super league that was discussed earlier this year. The teams listed as not making the cut include Syracuse, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Stanford, Cal, and SMU.
Additionally, Georgia Tech and Pitt are also considered to be on shaky ground, with no guarantee of inclusion in the super conference. Swaim emphasized that these exclusions pertain specifically to football programs, suggesting that the financial backing for this super conference could significantly reshape the landscape of college football, leaving some traditional programs on the outside looking in. This development underscores the ongoing shifts in college athletics, where football-driven realignment continues to dominate discussions.
Super conference only happens if TV networks cede control of Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12
The concept of a 32-team super conference would represent a seismic shift in the landscape of college football, potentially erasing much of what has defined the sport for decades. The changes since 2020—NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) regulations, major conference realignments, and the migration of powerhouse programs like Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and UCLA—have already set the stage for this kind of transformation. However, the idea of abandoning the traditional conference model for a pro football-style league would push the boundaries of what “college football” means at the highest level.
One of the biggest challenges in forming such a super conference is determining which 32 teams would make the cut. College football is steeped in tradition and regional rivalries, and the sport’s inherent parity makes it difficult to draw a definitive line between the haves and have-nots. The influence of television networks like CBS, FOX, and ESPN cannot be overstated in this discussion. These networks have significant stakes in maintaining the sport’s existing structure, given the lucrative broadcasting rights they hold. The idea of a super conference might be appealing from a competitive standpoint, but the financial and logistical hurdles could make it impractical.
If such a super conference were to materialize, certain programs would undoubtedly be locks based on their historical success, fan base, and media appeal. Auburn, for instance, would likely be included due to its fierce rivalries with Alabama and Georgia, as well as its status as a perennial contender in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Auburn’s inclusion would be less about its on-field success in any given season and more about the program’s overall significance to the sport, both regionally and nationally.
Ultimately, the creation of a 32-team super conference would mark a point of no return for college football, transforming it into a more commercially driven enterprise that mirrors the structure of professional leagues. While this could lead to exciting matchups and a more streamlined championship race, it would also risk losing the very essence of what has made college football unique: its diversity, regional identity, and deep-rooted traditions.