During the initial stages of the latest round of expansion apocalypse, Florida State was rumored to be in line to become the “14th” member of the SEC if/when Texas A&M becomes that conference’s 13th school.
The school subsequently denied being interested in such a move, but whispers of the possibility of FSU joining in-state recruiting rival Florida in a conference have continued bubbling just below the surface in the ensuing weeks.
While it remains to be seen whether the rumored gentlemen’s agreement -- the SEC unofficially agreeing not to add schools in a state that already has a member -- would remain in play in the face of a significant shift on the collegiate landscape, FSU is looking to ensure they are prepared for whatever may be around the next conference corner.
Andy Haggard, chairman of FSU’s board of trustees, told the Palm Beach Post Tuesday that the school is in the process of forming a committee (not pictured) that will explore FSU’s options as it pertains to future conference affiliation. Those options would apparently include remaining in the ACC or moving to the SEC if enough conference dominoes tumble.
“We are going to explore the conferences, what’s going on and make sure if anything does happen at Florida State that we are ready,” Haggard told the Post.
The committee, which the Post writes will be composed of representatives from the president’s office, the athletic department, Seminole Boosters, Inc., and former athletes, is expected to be up and running at some point next week.
This news comes on the heels of reports the past couple of days that has Texas eyeing the ACC should Oklahoma and Oklahoma State bolt for the Pac-12, thus putting the final nail in the coffin of the Big 12. The Longhorns are also rumored to be part of a four-school bloc from the Big 12 -- the two Oklahoma schools plus Texas Tech -- that could move west to the Pac-12 and form the first BcS super conference.
“If you are going to four conferences of 16 teams we certainly want to be ready,” Haggard said. “If the ACC is included in that we want to be sure we are included and have a say so in regard to the teams that are coming into our conference.”
Haggard made sure to note that FSU is very happy being a member of the ACC, and that the school has received no overtures, official or otherwise, from the SEC.
Of course, depending on how things shakeout in the coming weeks and months, that could very well change at a moment’s notice.