The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is gearing up for a transformational shift in the collegiate sports landscape as it welcomes California, Stanford, and SMU into its fold, bringing the conference's total number of teams to a formidable 17. This historic expansion is set to take effect in 2024, and it's not just about adding new members; the ACC is rolling out a fresh scheduling model that's designed to maximize competition while preserving cherished rivalries.
In preparation for this monumental change, the ACC has meticulously restructured its scheduling model for the next seven years, ensuring that fans, players, and alumni can eagerly anticipate a thrilling chapter in the conference's history. Jim Phillips, ACC Commissioner, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are extremely excited to welcome Cal, SMU, and Stanford to the ACC and look forward to having them compete beginning in the fall of 2024. Throughout the entire scheduling model process, the membership was incredibly thoughtful and purposeful in building a creative, flexible, and aggressive conference scheduling model while keeping the student-athlete experience at the forefront. The excitement and anticipation for our teams, alumni, and fans will undoubtedly build as we look ahead to the future of this incredible conference."
Under the newly unveiled model, ACC teams will engage in eight conference games per season. What's particularly intriguing is that all 17 teams will square off against each other at least twice over the next seven years—once on their home turf and once on the road. A notable provision of the scheduling model is that the current 14 ACC teams will clash with the two California-based teams—Cal and Stanford—three times during the seven-year period, with the stipulation that no team will travel to the West Coast in consecutive seasons.
While the number of matchups between teams varies widely over the seven-year period, with contests occurring anywhere from two to seven times, some longstanding rivalries are set to see a shift in frequency. A notable change is the Clemson Tigers' games against NC State and Georgia Tech. Under the new format, the Tigers will go head-to-head with the Yellow Jackets four times between 2024 and 2030, while their annual face-off with NC State will be reduced to three times during the same span. This adjustment is aimed at accommodating NC State's annual games against Duke, North Carolina, and Wake Forest.
The ACC will also maintain its stance on doing away with divisions, a change initially implemented during the current season. The top two teams, determined by conference winning percentage, will continue to compete in the ACC Football Championship Game.
In a nod to tradition and fan expectations, the new scheduling model takes special care to protect 16 annual matchups, some of which have been reinstated from the previous divisional format. Among these cherished rivalries are Boston College's games against Syracuse and Pitt, Clemson's yearly showdown with Florida State, and Duke's contests against North Carolina, NC State, and Wake Forest. Additionally, Florida State's clashes with Clemson and Miami, Miami's duels with Florida State and Virginia Tech, and North Carolina's meetings with Duke, NC State, and Virginia are all assured. These protected matchups are a testament to the ACC's commitment to preserving the essence of collegiate sports rivalries even as it enters an exciting new era.
As we look ahead to the ACC's football schedules from 2024 to 2030, there's a sense of anticipation and wonderment. With new teams, revised scheduling, and the same old commitment to the thrill of competition, the ACC is poised to deliver a future that will captivate fans and inspire athletes to reach new heights in college football.
