I am not surprised Clemson won on its home court/field. I am surprised the judge denied sovereign status. This goes against FSU, as a sister ruling and favors the ACC.
As this is all in the early stages, an appeals court can only hear limited issues, if any at all. You would need a state specific attorney to comment on whether anything decides at this time can be appealed. I certainly cannot comment.
Without sovereign status in this case, Clemson and possibly FSU are facing an uphill battle. Further, it becomes much clearer that they will need to attack ESPN or have ESPN join them in attacking the ACC (which chance is virtually zero -stranger things have happened).
Any side agreement with either the SEC or B1G will be subject to a tortious interference claim. If there is any credible evidence of tortious I reference, either or both conferences would be doomed, in my opinion.
I think this is why Clemson is essentially only seeking an advisory opinion (usually not allowed in U.S. courts but I am NOT a SC attorney). Clemson has not stated that they will leave. FSU has not officially given notice but stated in their lawsuit that they will leave.
I still think that accountants and finance people have not dissected their respective AD dreams. It's still much more cost efficient to wait.