There are serious rumors starting to circulate about Texas A&M's possible bolt to the SEC, and once again, the issue of conference realignment is back in our laps. If A&M leaves, there's a good chance the Big 12 falls apart and the expansion gold rush expected last summer actually happens.

For Noles, the big question is what happens to us? Do we get screwed by the ACC (I think question is not "do we", but "how bad")? Will we jump to another conference? Will the ACC suddenly act differently than it has ever acted before and get something right for a change?

Because times such as these beget silly speculation ...

We keep framing the conversation in terms of should FSU a) stick with the ACC or 2) bolt to the SEC. What if the answer is D?

What if a new conference were to be formed from the ashes of the Big 12 and the best football schools of the ACC. Imagine if FSU, Miami, Clemson, and VT left the ACC. Maybe GT would come along. And let's say we add OU and OK State, and perhaps Mizzou if we can get them away from the Big 10.

Then we grab a couple of lower-tier schools from the remains of the Big 12, and poach some Big East schools or even a MWC school or two.

It would break out into two very nice divisions, and since your schedule at 16 teams would focus on divisional games, it would limit the long term trips. It could look something like this.

Eastern Division:
FSU
Miami
Clemson
VT
GT
WVU
UCF
USF

Western Division:
OU
OK State
Baylor
Kansas
K State
Mizzou
Texas Tech
TCU

Not a bad football conference. Obviously, I'm not expecting it to happen, but one can dream.