Where does FSU fit in? Seminoles football, academics on the rise as realignment rumors swirl

Where does FSU fit in? Seminoles football, academics on the rise as realignment rumors swirl

The Seminoles have vaulted in the U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings over the past six years (No. 43 to No. 19), fueled by some of the best graduation and freshman retention rates nationally. 

It's also important to hear the Seminoles are focusing on their big-picture plan, whether that's remaining in the ACC or testing SEC or Big Ten interest. Good because this is a tumultuous time for college athletics with billions in revenue and financial security at stake.

New FSU President Richard McCullough last week at the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Conference at Amelia Island went on the offensive as he shared his thoughts for the first time publicly on the conference chaos.

McCullough didn't shy away from contact either, stressing he had the Seminoles' best interests at heart.

"It's something I'm spending a lot of time on and we're getting a lot of help," McCullough said. "We're trying to do anything we can to think about how we remain competitive. Florida State is expected to win.

"We're going to be very aggressive."

Let's try to figure this out 

With the the SEC and the Big Ten expanding to 16 schools by 2025, leading to two super conferences, the ACC will tumble further and further behind by millions in revenue sharing.

The conference can't make a move until it can add significant money. ACC schools are also locked into the conference through 2036 due to its grant of rights agreement. An exit fee could reportedly exceed $100 million, if not substantially more, per school. 

That leads us to Notre Dame. 

Notre Dame, even with one national title in the past 24 years, is one of the most significant and powerful brands in college football. 

Past history has detailed how FSU turned down a lucrative bid to join the SEC 30 years ago, instead opting for the ACC. Any lingering animosity aside, the Seminoles are a natural fit for the SEC due to its location, culture and football history. 

Numbers to know: FSU's 73.9 winning percentage since 1976 is the fourth-highest nationally; its 45 consensus All-Americans is 10th-highest; and the program hovers around .500 all-time against SEC opponents. 

Why not the Big Ten? 

Let's move farther north, and potential snow games. 

At the moment, it appears the Big Ten might have the boldest plan.

At some point this season, some predict the conference will announce further expansion and revenue sharing with players. Earlier this month, the league completed a new seven-year media rights agreement with Fox, CBS and NBC that is set to bring in more than $7 billion.

Here's the kicker. The Big Ten recently branched into California's Golden State when it added Pac-12 members USC and UCLA for 2024. That's obviously not a traditional match.

Why not next venture into Florida's Sunshine State, specifically the Panhandle? 

FSU could be a trendsetter for the Big Ten due to its location, potential and weather. The Sunshine State is one of the three largest for recruiting and overall population, and features three of the top 25 television markets.

Plenty of Big Ten alumni have also migrated to Florida, which, if anyone needs reminding, has an average daily temperature of 60 degrees in Tallahassee in October. On the flip side, the average temp in Madison, Wisconsin, that time of year is 44 degrees. 

McCullough is also working to expand the university’s external financial support, especially from the National Institutes of Health. FSU is increasing faculty resources, and building the infrastructure and support needed to attract more research dollars.

One example is the new FSU Health initiative, a partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. This has the potential to transform health care delivery, education, and biomedical research in the region. McCullough has also hired 155 additional faculty, which should help the university attract more external research funding.

Bottom line 

All eyes are on expansion and survival. 

The first step for FSU must cross is  the revitalization of its football program under Norvell. This will help reserve the Seminoles' spot in conference realignment if so desired and/or the ACC disintegrates.

Expectations must be met this season. The Seminole Nation has been faithful.

Even though FSU last had a winning record in 2017, its television viewership still ranks top-15 nationally over that time. The Seminoles were second behind Clemson last season in games with at least 1 million viewers. And, FSU-Notre Dame in 2020 attracted 7.75 million viewers, peaking at 8.8 million during the overtime period. 

This further proves the reach of FSU's brand and visibility.

Many assume that the future of college football will involve fewer power conferences.

Possibly as few as two.

FSU must look out for No. 1.

https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/board/36/Contents/bud--192301949/?page=1 

"Haven’t had a chance to listen to the lost recent Nolecast. Is this true? In the latest Nolecast just released Ingram said FSU has lately received two significant donations toward football. He said FSU is in “aggressive review of finances with intention of having warchest to pay exit fee (not GOR buyout) as soon as possible.” Ingram said FSU is prepared and is as close to leaving as possible without sending a letter.