Another point is that the longer the SEC is stuck at 14 schools (which really sucks for scheduling) the more likely they are to go ahead and take Clemson and FSU and gut a lot of the ACC's football value. It might not add much value to their network, due to having FL and SC schools already, but it would get the SEC more cash for their T1 and T2 because those schools would result more great match ups with the existing SEC schools the nation would want to see (and SEC T1/T@ is undervalued currently). I think the SEC has thought about going past 16 (look at the rumors of a ACC/SEC/B12 merger meeting).

If that happens can the rest of the ACC stay together? My guess is schools would be looking to bail. UNC expressed concerns about remaining financially competitive when UMD leaked the B1G projections (though it could have strictly been posturing to try to get more cash out of ESPN). Unless Miami returns to glory soon and VT as well there really would not be any FB program remaining there with national interest outside of a few ND away games each year. My guess is that the ACC would not last and the SEC would be able to get a some combo of ACC schools, including schools in VA and NC, that they covet and go to 18 or 20 schools.

UNC is the king of the ACC, but FSU is like OU (Texas is the B12 king) in that if they leave, the kingdom might not be worth ruling anymore due to lost football value, competitiveness, and perception. Both the B12 and ACC are at risk because there are schools of great value who would likely leave if they got the right offer from the B1G or SEC.