The ACC is closing in on a change to its scheduling format that will require all league teams to play at least 10 games against Power Four competition, though the number of intra-conference games played — eight or nine — remains a sticking point, according to multiple sources.
Athletics directors are scheduled to meet Monday in Charlotte to discuss the details of what will either be a move to a nine-game conference slate with one additional Power Four game required out of conference or an «8+2» model that would provide more flexibility to schools who already have an annual non-conference rival.
«The ACC committing to go to 10 Power Four games is a big step forward,» Clemson athletics director Graham Neff said. «It's indicative of where college football is and leans into emphasizing the importance of strength of schedule and more Power Four matchups.»
Neff is among the handful of ADs concerned that a nine-game conference slate would be problematic in limiting schools' ability to play marquee non-conference games, as Clemson did this season against LSU in Week 1.
The Tigers play South Carolina annually and, beginning in 2027, will also have a yearly game against Notre Dame.
A straw poll of 13 of the ACC's 17 athletics directors showed nine supported or were amenable to the nine-game slate, while Clemson and Florida State are among the others with concerns about the impact on non-conference scheduling.
The SEC announced last month it would move from an eight-game to a nine-game conference slate — a decision that has spurred the ACC's interest in adjusting its scheduling model, too.
Multiple sources said ACC commissioner Jim Phillips wants to see the conference play nine league games annually plus require each school to
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