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.

All the talk this summer has been about the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles trying to get away from the ACC. That may still happen, but according to an ESPN report on Tuesday night, the two schools and the conference may not be done just yet.

The Wolfpack (2-1) take on the 21st-ranked Tigers (1-1) on Saturday in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener, with both having the chance to live up to their preseason billing that had the schools mentioned in the chase for a league title. Clemson was picked to finish second in the ACC, while N.C. State was selected fourth.

Running off at the typewriter. … Maybe it’s just coincidence this is happening now that Florida State is 0-3, but it sure seems strange that the Seminoles are now reportedly trying to make peace with the ACC.

The move is specifically meant to maintain the ACC membership of Clemson and Florida State. Both of those schools have challenged the enforceability of the conference’s grant of rights in court and have been open — either in public (FSU) or in court filings (Clemson) — about their intent to leave for another conference as the ACC lags behind the SEC and Big Ten in per-school revenue distribution.

Clemson football and Florida State football both accelerated discussions with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This comes as a surprise after both Clemson and Florida State were possibly going to leave the ACC.

After suing its own conference six months ago in an initial step to leave, could Clemson drop its lawsuit against the ACC and … end up sticking around? As of this week, that option’s on the table. According to various national reports Tuesday night,