The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is on the verge of shaking up its football scheduling. The goal? To make schedules tougher and more competitive for its teams.
There’s a strong push to get ACC teams playing at least 10 games each season against Power 4 opponents. It’s a move that could really change college football—think nonconference matchups, TV ratings, and the way ACC schools plan their seasons.
The ACC’s New Scheduling Proposal
Right now, the ACC is looking at two main scheduling models. One would have teams play nine conference games plus one nonconference game against a Power 4 school.
The other option is an “8+2” model. That one gives a little more wiggle room, especially for schools with traditional nonconference rivals. Either way, the idea is to guarantee 10 Power 4 games for every team.
Why the Change?
So, why shake things up? Part of it is the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule. The ACC wants to keep up, stay competitive, and maybe even boost its teams’ chances in the College Football Playoff.
There’s also the new CFP emphasis on strength of schedule. If the ACC wants its teams in the conversation, they need to face tougher opponents, plain and simple.
Concerns and Challenges
Not everyone’s on board with all of this. Clemson and Florida State, for instance, are worried that a nine-game conference schedule could squeeze out some of their big nonconference games.
Those matchups—like Clemson vs. LSU—bring in huge TV audiences and, let’s be honest, a lot of money. Losing them could sting a bit.
Impact on Nonconference Rivalries
Traditional nonconference rivalries might take a hit too. Schools like Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Louisville have yearly games with SEC opponents.
With the new format, finding room for extra big games could get tricky. Some of those classic matchups might disappear, which would be a shame for fans and probably for the schools’ bank accounts as well.
Financial Implications
Don’t expect a windfall from ESPN just because of the new format. The ACC recently tweaked its revenue-sharing plan, though, so schools that draw bigger TV audiences get a bigger slice of the pie.
That means scheduling games that people actually want to watch is more important than ever.
Future Nonconference Scheduling
Some schools, like Louisville, aren’t backing down from tough nonconference games. Athletic Director Josh Heird says they’re still aiming for big matchups—think Georgia, Texas A&M, and the like.
But there’s a worry that the SEC and Big Ten might just start playing each other more, leaving ACC teams with fewer chances for those marquee games. It’s a bit of a wait-and-see situation.
Logistical Challenges
With 17 football-playing members, the ACC has its hands full trying to make a nine-game conference schedule work. Counting games against Notre Dame as conference games was floated, but that’s off the table now.
Instead, the conference might go with an imbalanced approach—maybe one team sticks to eight conference games while the rest play nine. It’s not perfect, but it could help the ACC hit its scheduling targets.
Looking Ahead
The ACC’s athletic directors are heading to Charlotte. They’re planning to hash out the details of the new scheduling format.
An official vote probably won’t happen right away. Still, the conference is hoping to reach a consensus soon.
They want to lock in the new format before the 2026 season. It’s all about keeping ACC teams competitive and in the CFP conversation.
If you’re curious about the ACC’s proposed changes and what they might mean, check out the full article on ESPN.
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