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Top 3 Reasons ACC Was Right To Stick With Eight Game Schedule

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:04 p.m. ET

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Here are the top three reasons why the ACC made the right move in sticking with an eight game conference schedule for their teams.

It’s been a source of debate for years – and now it appears we finally have a permanent answer. Wednesday, the ACC’s announced that they had voted to keep the conference schedule at eight games for the foreseeable future.

It’s a move that had been voted on times before, but those schools that supported the move felt that the addition of the new ACC Network in the 2019 season was going to be enough to push it over the top, seeing as the channel will need inventory.

Each team will also have to play another team from a Power Five conference each season (Pac 12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC). The AD’s voted to keep things the same after hearing one plan for a nine game conference schedule and another for an eight game schedule requiring TWO Power Five games each season.

Ultimately, the ACC’s athletic directors got this one right and here are the five reasons why.

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrate after defeating Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 – A nine game slate would hurt the ACC’s chances at sending teams to the playoffs

One of the big pushes with the CFB Playoff is getting teams to play better schedules. It’s the reason you are seeing a slate of games like we had during the opening week of the season, where teams like FSU, Alabama and Oklahoma are playing Ole Miss, USC and Houston.

With all due respect, if the ACC had a nine game schedule during the 2016 season, which games do you think would likely go? You think FSU is going to get rid of Ole Miss…or Charleston Southern? It would destroy strength of schedule if you are replacing teams like the Rebels with, for example, a 2016 Virginia team that has a loss to a FCS team.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) fumbles the ball after being hit by Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 – ACC football credibility needs big out of conference games, not more intra-conference battles

When you look at the schedules for 2016, you’ve got FSU taking on Ole Miss and Florida, Clemson facing Auburn and South Carolina, Louisville battling Houston, North Carolina playing Georgia and Virginia Tech up against Tennessee.

Even with two teams that have played in the last three national title games, the ACC is still the forgotten conference by many when it comes to P5 leagues. They needed those big games, not more Duke-N.C. State or Wake Forest-Georgia Tech showcases that the old guard in the league wants, but has kept the ACC behind the rest.

Dec 7, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) scores a touchdown as Duke Blue Devils cornerback Bryon Fields (14) and linebacker David Helton (47) and defensive end Kenny Anunike (84) and safety Dwayne Norman (40) defend in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 – It shows ESPN they can’t push the conference around even with the new network

When you listened to the experts, it was almost thought that the nine game schedule was going to be a sure thing. It was all a part of the network’s plan to add more content for viewers in the area – and proof the Worldwide Leader really didn’t understand.

The ACC already got an increase in conference games for the basketball season – but would viewers across the country rather see Clemson face, for example, Texas Tech on the network or someone like Duke? Maybe the old guard wants the latter, but you need to get more eyes outside of the 14 full time members schools if the network is going to succeed.

Plus, doesn’t the SEC only play eight conference games and have their own network?

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