this could be a ploy to get ESPN to step up big. They are about to lose the ACC, which together with the Big East going to NBC, will cost ESPN a lot of content.
I like your idea here.
On the other hand, I give this a lot of credence.
I played a what if today: what if 4 conferences of 16 teams?
I didn't like what I saw, not at all.
UNC might see the writing on the wall here, IF it believes FSU and Clemson are headed elsewhere. Then it knows the ACC is going to be marginalized, and that it will need a landing.
In that context, UNC to Big10 makes sense.
Just play the realignment game with 4 16-team conferences, and you'll see what I mean. Send 4 from the B12 to the Pac12, replace them with FSU, Clemson, Miami and GT. Then take VT and NC St and add to SEC.
What are you left with? BYU and Boise St. in the west, UConn, BC, Cuse, Pitt, Cincy, Duke, WF, USF on the Atlantic Coast.