Stanford, Cal, SMU Join ACC Amid Realignment

California's Fernando Mendoza and Stanford's Ashton Daniels, quarterbacks for rival football programs, are navigating the challenges of their schools' transition to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) following the disintegration of the Pac-12. Both players expressed relief at securing a future in a power conference, despite the logistical hurdles of frequent cross-country travel. The ACC's expansion to include Cal, Stanford, and SMU has necessitated new scheduling models, with Cal and Stanford making three trips to the Eastern Time Zone each season. Schools are adjusting by coordinating travel logistics, such as using larger planes and planning earlier departures. While the transition is challenging, both institutions are grateful for the opportunity to remain in a major conference.