ACC tables vote on expanding to nine-game league schedule

On a teleconference Friday, ACC athletic directors tabled their discussion on the possibility of expanding the eight-game conference football schedule to nine games. The league has contemplated the move in the past and in 2014 voted to remain at eight games.

The planned vote on the schedule was precipitated by the ACC and ESPN officially joining to launch the ACC Network in 2019. The plans are to air 40 games annually on the network, and adding another league game would provide the network with more inventory. The conference has already moved to expand the conference basketball schedule from 18 to 20 games, beginning in the 2019-20 academic year.

The other option that is under consideration is to remain at eight league games, but require that the conference’s 14 teams play two games against power-conference teams. This is the option preferred by Georgia Tech. Because of its annual rivalry game with Georgia and the league’s contract with Notre Dame, a ninth conference game would mean that the Yellow Jackets would play nine ACC opponents, Georgia and Notre Dame on three separate occasions between 2020 and 2024, a more rigorous schedule than coaches find palatable.