ACC May Change Schedule to Require 10 Power Four Opponents

A month after the SEC approved a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026, the ACC is considering its own schedule format change.

According to an ESPN report, the ACC is close to changing its format to require at least 10 games against Power 4 competition. However, it is still yet to be determined whether the corresponding number of conference games will be eight or nine. Under the current rules, each ACC team is required to play eight conference games and one non-conference Power 4 team.

The conference’s athletic directors are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether they will simply add another required conference game or move to an 8+2 model. A formal vote is not expected for another few weeks, according to CBS Sports. Any approved changes will start next season.

An ESPN poll indicated that the majority of the ADs prefer shifting to the nine-game conference schedule, but others, like Clemson’s Graham Neff, prefer the 8+2 model. The belief is that an 8+2 model would allow teams a chance to enhance non-conference rivalries or even build new ones with other Power 4 schools.

The CBS Sports report also indicated that there’s some concern among ACC officials that more required conference games may complicate scheduling, since all other Power 4 conferences have already increased their required conference games.

The format changes are a response to the College Football Playoff committee’s new metrics that consider strength of schedule.