The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has shaken up its league schedule in a way that’s bound to leave a mark on college football from 2026 to 2032. The big news? The ACC is now deciding which teams will play eight league games and which will take on nine, all thanks to the addition of a ninth league contest starting in 2026.
This move is part of a larger plan to keep things fair and allow for more non-conference matchups. Some teams will end up playing fewer league games in certain years, while most will stick with a nine-game schedule. The details are a bit of a puzzle, but here’s what’s changing.
ACC’s Strategic Scheduling Changes
The ACC’s decision to map out which teams will play eight league games between 2026 and 2032 is about keeping the playing field as level as possible. With 17 teams, it’s just not realistic for everyone to play nine games every single season.
To sort this out, the ACC worked with all its schools to figure out a fair way to distribute those eight and nine-game seasons. It’s a compromise, but that’s college football for you.
Teams Playing Eight League Games
Between 2027 and 2032, a handful of teams will play only eight league games in select years:
- Clemson: 2027, 2028
- Georgia Tech: 2029, 2031
- Syracuse: 2030
- Florida State: 2032
And in 2026, five schools—Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina—will play just eight league games as the ACC gets used to the nine-game setup.
Implications for ACC Teams
What does all this mean for the teams? Mainly, it gives them more wiggle room to schedule non-conference games, which can be a big deal for schools hoping to boost their reputation or playoff chances.
Non-Conference Scheduling
Starting in 2026, the ACC is asking every member to play at least 10 Power 4 conference opponents, no matter if they’re playing eight or nine conference games. Here’s how that shakes out:
- Boston College, Georgia Tech, and Louisville: Each will take on 11 Power 4 opponents in 2026—the most of any conference, which is honestly a tall order.
- Overall: ACC teams will play 25 non-conference games against Power 4 opponents, more than any other league out there.
The Power 4 non-conference slate includes nine games against the SEC, six with Notre Dame, and five each against the Big Ten and Big 12. That’s a pretty loaded schedule, if you ask me.
Tiebreakers for ACC Title Game
With the new schedule, the ACC is rolling out fresh tiebreakers to pick the top two seeds for the championship game. Since not every school will play the same number of league games, it’s only fair.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips says these tiebreakers will be settled by spring, though details are still up in the air.
Exclusion of Non-Conference Games
One more thing: non-conference games against Power 4 teams, including Notre Dame, won’t count as “league” contests. Only games against other ACC schools will matter for the conference standings.
This way, the standings should better reflect how teams stack up against their actual conference rivals. Makes sense, right?
The ACC has decided which teams will play eight league games from 2026 to 2032. It’s a pretty big change in how the conference handles scheduling.
Balancing league games with non-conference matchups could shake things up. The ACC wants to make schedules fairer and maybe a bit tougher, too.
This move gives teams more room to schedule big non-conference games, but they’ll still have plenty of league action. I can’t help but wonder how much it’ll change the feel of college football in the ACC.
Want the full rundown? Check out the original article on On3.
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