The ACC Announces New Scheduling Model to Accommodate Expansion
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has recently unveiled its new scheduling model for the 2024 through 2030 seasons. This new model is designed to accommodate the expansion of the league to 17 teams. Last month, the ACC made headlines by announcing that California, SMU, and Stanford would be joining the conference as new members for the 2024-25 academic year. As a result of this expansion, the previously planned scheduling model for the 2023 season had to be scrapped.
Highlights of the Updated Schedule
The ACC’s updated schedule includes several key features that will shape the conference’s landscape for the next seven years. Here are the highlights:
1. Eight Regular-Season Conference Games: Each team will still play eight regular-season conference games, ensuring a balanced schedule for all participating schools.
2. All Teams Play Each Other: With 17 teams in the conference, it was important to ensure that every team had the opportunity to face each other at least twice within a seven-year span. This will promote fairness and competitiveness within the league.
3. Annual Projected Matchups: The updated schedule includes 16 annual projected matchups for the next seven years. These matchups will create exciting rivalries and provide fans with highly anticipated games to look forward to each season.
4. Georgia Tech and Louisville: Georgia Tech and Louisville are the only two programs without a protected rivalry in the new scheduling model. This opens up opportunities for new rivalries to develop and adds an element of unpredictability to future matchups.
5. Winning Records: The two programs joining from the Pac-12, Stanford and Cal, have impressive winning records against current ACC schools. Stanford boasts an 11-10 record, while Cal holds a 13-11-1 record. SMU, another new member, has a respectable 16-17-2 all-time record against its new league-mates. Notably, Georgia Tech has had significant success against SMU, with an 8-2-1 record.
6. Unplayed Matchups: Florida State and Virginia are the only two teams in the ACC that have never played any of the three new members. This presents an exciting opportunity for these teams to face off against unfamiliar opponents and adds an element of novelty to their schedules.
The Future of ACC Football
The ACC’s expansion and the introduction of this new scheduling model will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of ACC football. With the addition of California, SMU, and Stanford, the conference will become even more competitive and diverse. The new matchups and rivalries that will emerge from this expansion will provide fans with thrilling games and moments to remember.
Additionally, the expanded conference will create new opportunities for players and coaches to showcase their skills and compete at a higher level. The increased competition within the ACC will push teams to elevate their game and strive for excellence.
Conclusion
The ACC’s announcement of its new scheduling model for the 2024 through 2030 seasons marks an exciting chapter in the conference’s history. The expansion to 17 teams and the inclusion of California, SMU, and Stanford will bring fresh energy and talent to the ACC. The updated schedule ensures fairness, competitiveness, and a wide range of exciting matchups for fans to enjoy. As we look ahead to the future of ACC football, one thing is certain: the conference is poised for greatness.