What's Happening?
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has decided to transition to a nine-game league schedule for football, starting next year. This change aligns the ACC with other major conferences such as the Big 12, Big Ten, and Southeastern Conference, which already follow similar scheduling models. The decision was announced by Commissioner Jim Phillips, who stated that athletic directors overwhelmingly supported the move after extensive discussions. The new schedule will require teams to play at least 10 games against power-conference opponents, although there will be variations due to the ACC's unique composition of 17 football-playing member schools. The change is expected to enhance the conference's competitiveness and potentially increase revenue through revised TV viewership-based payouts.
Why It's Important?
The shift to a nine-game schedule is significant as it positions the ACC to better compete with other power conferences in terms of playoff access and revenue generation. By increasing the number of games against power-conference opponents, the ACC aims to boost its teams' profiles and improve their chances of securing spots in the College Football Playoff. Additionally, the revised revenue-distribution model, which factors in TV ratings, could provide financial benefits to the conference's top-performing teams. This move addresses the longstanding revenue gap between the ACC and other major conferences like the Big Ten and SEC, potentially leading to increased financial stability and competitiveness for ACC schools.
What's Next?
The ACC plans to present the new scheduling model to its faculty athletic representatives for formal adoption. While most teams will transition to the nine-game schedule next year, some will follow an '8+2 model' to accommodate existing nonconference commitments. By 2027, the majority of teams are expected to adopt the '9+1 schedule,' with one team continuing the '8+2' model. The conference will continue discussions to finalize details and ensure a smooth transition. The change may also prompt teams to adjust their nonconference scheduling strategies to maximize competitive and financial benefits.
