ACC votes in favor of adopting nine-game conference schedule

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips announced on Monday that the ACC will adopt a nine-game regular season schedule. This includes a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 opponents.

Phillips and the ACC released a full statement regarding the matter on social media. Read it in full below:

“We have been incredibly intentional throughout our discussions on ACC Football, including the future of our conference schedule,” Phillips said. “Today, the Athletic Directors of the 17 football-playing institutions overwhelmingly supported a regular season schedule that includes nine conference games and a minimum of 10 games each year against Power 4 opponents.

“This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 teams. There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs. As specified in the Conference constitution, the model will be presented to the Faculty Athletics Representatives for formal adoption.”

The move mirrors the SEC’s change made earlier this year. The goal for both conferences are to ensure that teams are well-prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff. More importantly, the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and now ACC all set to play a nine-game conference schedule — discussion of an expanded or re-adjusted CFP format could ramp up.

While this move is a long time coming, it seemed as though the ACC may not make the change anytime soon. Just over one month ago Phillips said that “I like where we’re at with eight games,” and that he’ll “adjust if we have to.”

Notably, the Big Ten is the only Power Four conference that does not require an non-conference game against either the ACC, Big 12, SEC or Notre Dame. The other three have to schedule at least one. It remains to be seen if the Big Ten will adjust to mirror the rest of their peer conferences.

This season, the ACC is 5-12 (29%) against non-conference Power Four schools (including Notre Dame). Compared to the SEC (10-3), Big 12 (8-6) and Big Ten (5-6), the ACC is having significantly less success than their Power Four counterparts. Of the nine main Division I conferences (excluding the two-team Pac-12), only the Sun Belt (1-15), MAC (1-21) and CUSA (0-11) have lower win percentages against similar opponents.