ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 engaging in "high-level discussions" regarding potential alliance

With the SEC snagging the Big 12’s two most prominent programs in Texas and Oklahoma and rumors of other powerhouse programs reaching out about forming a “super conference” – the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 are engaging in “high-level discussions” regarding an alliance of their own.

Max Olson of The Athletic is reporting that talks are extending beyond a simple scheduling alliance, with “broader cooperation” now on the table. All three conference commissioners – Pac-12’s George Kliavkoff, Big Ten’s Kevin Warren and ACC’s Jim Phillips – have been in talks for “several weeks.”

ESPN confirmed the possibility of an alliance, adding that nonconference scheduling is the current focus, among other details.

According to The Athletic, the larger goal of the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC forming an alliance is to “work and vote together on major issues such as College Football Playoff expansion and upcoming NCAA governance changes.”

“This is their shot right back at the SEC,” one athletic director told The Athletic.

The Athletic and ESPN are both reporting that the Big 12 is not included in the alliance, a major setback for the conference.

The idea is that the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 coming together would give the trio of conferences 41 total votes compared to the SEC’s 16, creating more power in numbers than “one conference stacking the deck” on major votes.

Are we transitioning toward an SEC vs. The World model in collegiate athletics?