Pac-12 is trying to avoid the precise dynamics which took USC away

You want an alliance? Maybe the Pac-12 and ACC are ready to do it right.

The alliance with the Big Ten was a disaster, and it certainly didn’t achieve what it was ostensibly supposed to: protect and defend the three conferences from being raided by the other. The Big Ten, flush with cash, was able to execute a smash and grab for USC and UCLA.

A wounded Pac-12 and an ACC suffering from a woefully insufficient TV deal might find common cause in the aftermath of that move. Reports are coming out that the conferences are exploring a loose partnership with a conference championship game and some regular-season scheduling arrangements attached.

Dennis Dodd of CBS has more:

John Canzano first reported the proposed the Pac-12 discussing a “loose partnership” with another conference Tuesday afternoon, noting some regular-season crossover games could be played in addition to the “championship game.”

Sources indicate the proposal is viewed as a “strength in numbers” move. While the 24 combined ACC and Pac-12 teams wouldn’t have nearly the clout of the 32 programs combined in the SEC and Big Ten, it would be something to combat the growing financial gap between those burgeoning superconferences and everyone else.

With the Big 12 and Pac-12 in flux, ACC schools are becoming increasingly aware of a media rights gap that could approach $50 million per year compared to the SEC and Big Ten.

It has been widely speculated that some combination of Clemson, Florida State and Miami could be a fit if the SEC chooses to expand again.

Will this new alliance actually stick? Stay tuned.