ACC football moves to nine-game schedule in 2025

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The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is making a major change in college football scheduling starting next year. The league will move from an eight-game football schedule to a nine-game league schedule. Alongside this, each team will play at least 10 games against top power-conference opponents. This new approach is designed to match other major football leagues and give ACC teams a stronger chance at making the College Football Playoff.

The ACC Commissioner said athletic directors from all schools strongly supported this decision after careful discussions about the best way to schedule games. Moving from eight to nine league games brings the ACC in line with the Big Ten, Big 12, and Southeastern Conference (SEC), all of which already have similar schedules. Last month, the SEC also announced it would switch to nine league games, showing a trend among the top conferences to give teams more games against strong opponents.

However, the ACC has a unique challenge. Unlike other leagues, it has an odd number of football-playing members – 17 teams. This means not every team can play nine league games every year, and some teams will have to play eight league games with two extra nonconference games against top teams instead. This approach is being called the “8+2 model” for some teams and the “9+1 model” for most others. By 2027, almost all teams will follow the 9+1 model, with just one team using the 8+2 plan each year.

The new scheduling model allows teams to face more high-quality opponents, which is an advantage when building their playoff resume. Some schools have already been scheduling tough nonconference games. For example, Clemson played a top-ranked team from another league and keeps its annual rivalry game against South Carolina, which is part of the SEC. N.C. State recently scheduled a nonconference game against a former ACC team, Virginia, along with a game against Notre Dame, which is a special partner in ACC scheduling.

This change also has financial implications. The ACC plans to adjust its revenue-sharing model so that schools with popular games and higher TV ratings can earn more money. Playing top teams from other conferences can attract bigger audiences, both on TV and in stadiums, which could help close the revenue gap the ACC has had with leagues like the Big Ten and SEC.

The ACC has historically used an eight-game football schedule since Florida State joined the league in 1992. The only exception was in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when teams played 10 league games. That year, Notre Dame joined the ACC for football and played a full league schedule before losing to Clemson in the conference championship. Usually, Notre Dame plays only a few ACC games each season, which now count as nonconference matchups under the new 9+1 and 8+2 models.

The ACC Commissioner had mentioned the possibility of moving to nine games earlier this year during preseason media events. He highlighted that top nonconference games were exciting for fans and important for the league, and adjustments could be made to make the schedule fair for all teams.

The upcoming change means teams will have less room for other nonconference games, but the trade-off is a stronger schedule overall. Every ACC team will be guaranteed at least 10 games against highly competitive opponents, which will help them improve rankings and visibility in national football rankings.

This scheduling reform is expected to strengthen the ACC’s football profile, increase TV viewership, and improve chances for its teams to reach national playoffs. With most teams moving to the 9+1 model and some adjusting with the 8+2 plan, fans can expect more exciting, competitive games every season. The ACC continues to focus on balancing tradition, competition, and financial growth while ensuring the best possible football experience for players and fans alike.

ACC football, nine-game schedule, Power Four teams