The Atlantic Coast Conference plans to require all league members to schedule at least 10 games against Power 4 competition, ESPN reported.
The ACC is closing in on the change to its format ahead of Monday’s meeting of athletic directors in Charlotte, N.C.
A sticking point, however, according to the report, is whether to schedule eight or nine intraconference contests. Proponents of the eight-game slate — the “8+2” model — want the added flexibility for schools who already have an annual rivalry with a nonconference opponent.
“The ACC committing to go to 10 Power 4 games is a big step forward,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said, per ESPN. “It’s indicative of where college football is and leans into emphasizing the importance of strength of schedule and more Power 4 matchups.”
Neff is among a “handful of ADs” who are concerned that playing nine ACC games will limit their ability to schedule nonconference games against marquee competition. Clemson played LSU this season, has an annual game against rival South Carolina and is adding a yearly meeting with Notre Dame starting in 2027.
An ESPN poll of the ACC’s 17 athletic directors found that 13 were open to the nine-game model. ACC members currently play eight league games.
Last month, the Southeastern Conference announced it is moving from eight games to nine games in league play.
“I think it’d be awfully strange to be the only conference not at nine conference games,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said, per ESPN. “Usually, when you’re the only one doing something, it’s either really good or really bad. It just feels like you’d want continuity in what everybody does in college sports.”
