But the facts remain the same. The ACC holds every ounce of leverage, and Clemson and FSU saying they’ll stay in the league only under their terms is the ultimate walk-back, a desperation play. Which in turn means if the ACC goes along, it’s only offering those schools the dollar-lined off-ramp they’re desperately seeking.

Has everyone already forgotten about Clemson football? After their Week 1 defeat by Georgia in Atlanta, where they only managed three points compared to the Bulldogs’ 34, many people wrote off the Tigers.