Paul Finebaum learned last year when Oklahoma and Texas joined the SEC that behind-the-scenes conversations are how conference realignment is discussed and, ultimately, settled.

The ESPN commentator made his regular appearance on WJOX out of Birmingham, Alabama and the “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning” show.”

“I think you’re looking at 2 superpowers in a survival of the fittest contest,” Finebaum said. “This didn’t look like this was an active contest a year ago when the SEC took over college football for good, or so it seemed. But I think the dynamics have changed now with SC and UCLA, and the domino effect that it’s had. What’s interesting, I don’t know where Kevin Warren has been the last week or 2. I have a pretty good idea where Greg Sankey has been, and he has been so far off the radar that he can work in the darkness of the light. Either directly or indirectly, and sometimes it’s best to be indirect.”

Finebaum contends that Sankey has talked with the biggest and the brightest in the industry trying to figure out next steps. Finebaum also said he believes intermediaries have been involved between ACC programs like Clemson and Florida State, and the SEC office indirectly. That is designed to create plausible deniability.

“It is interesting that one of the primary lawyers of the SEC’s office is in downtown Charlotte,” Finebaum said. “It probably is not going to be difficult for someone representing Clemson or North Carolina or somebody to meet this guy. I think that’s what’s going on.”

Finebaum also believes there’s been communication at the highest level with Notre Dame between both the SEC and the Big Ten.