TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Tallahassee judge has ordered Florida State and the Atlantic Coast Conference to enter mediation in hopes of settling a high-profile lawsuit that could dramatically impact the future of the league.

Judge John C. Cooper technically approved the ACC’s motion to dismiss Monday but gave FSU seven days to amend its complaint because the university needs more specificity regarding key facts in a case he said “is worth up to half a billion dollars.” The conference would have 20 days to respond afterward, and another hearing would be set.

“The case is not over,” Cooper said. “The case will continue.”

Cooper ordered the sides to begin mediation within 120 days. But a mediator cannot force an agreement, so the case could end up back in court.

“I send every case to mediation except mortgage foreclosures,” Cooper said. “This is not being done any differently.”

The Seminoles are pushing to exit the ACC and explore a more lucrative landing spot, potentially the Big Ten Conference.

The hearing Monday was the latest in dueling lawsuits lodged in December. They include back-and-forth arguments pertaining to jurisdiction, a highly guarded grant-of-rights agreement between member schools and the league, and a confidential TV deal between the ACC and ESPN.

The ACC wants the case heard in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the league is headquartered, and doesn’t want the broadcasting contract made public. Florida State wants to move the venue to Tallahassee and prefers the documents be unsealed for financial transparency.

FSU had been signaling discontent for a year about the ACC falling further behind the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference in payouts even while raking in record revenues.

The ACC’s revenue increased to nearly $617 million during the 2021-22 season, with an average distribution of nearly $39.5 million per school for full members. Still, that leaves ACC schools receiving about $10 million a year less than SEC schools even though ESPN is partnered with both leagues in broadcast deals.

Clemson, another ACC school, has joined FSU in challenging the ACC’s right to charge hundreds of millions of dollars to leave the conference.

Clemson’s complaint filed in South Carolina said the ACC’s “exorbitant $140 million” exit penalty and the grant of rights used to bind schools to a conference through their media rights should be struck down.

Neither Clemson nor Florida State has filed formal notice to withdraw from the ACC.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, after losing starter Quinshon Judkins via transfer to Ohio State, has added yet another option to the running backs room with Miami Hurricanes‘ Henry Parrish Jr.

Parrish started his career at Ole Miss, rushing for more than 800 yards and five touchdowns over the 2020 and 2021 seasons. After transferring to Miami, Parrish ran for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns over two seasons.

He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Judkins led Ole Miss in rushing last season with 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns during an All-SEC season, but the staff has since filled the room with potential contributors.

Parrish will be joining former LSU back Logan Diggs, who transferred after rushing for 653 yards and seven touchdowns this past season, as well as former New Mexico back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who led the Lobos with 1,190 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.

Kiffin and his coaches also return the team’s second-leading rusher from last season in Ulysses Bentley IV, who had 540 yards and four touchdowns.

Ole Miss has added 18 transfers, including Texas A&M defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who was a No. 1 overall prospect; Florida defensive end Princely Umanmielen; South Carolina wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr.; Arkansas linebacker Chris Paul Jr.; and Alabama corner Trey Amos.

Colorado continued to bolster its roster from the transfer portal with former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Hayden entered the portal earlier this month after going through spring practice at Ohio State, where he had 663 rushing yards and six touchdowns over two seasons.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Hayden saw the field extensively as a freshman at Ohio State following a string of injuries to others and recorded 553 yards and five touchdowns, including 146 yards and three scores in a win over Maryland. Despite another round of injuries at the position last season, Ohio State elected to redshirt Hayden, who appeared in only three games.

The Memphis native went through spring practice alongside Buckeyes returning starter TreVeyon Henderson and prized Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins before he entered the portal. He joins a Colorado program that brings back leading rusher Dylan Edwards but recently lost Alton McCaskill to the portal.

Hayden will play behind a revamped Colorado offensive line that has added several transfers, most recently Texas‘ Payton Kirkland.

Hayden’s decision to transfer to Colorado was first reported by On3.