With news of the Southeastern Conference switching to a nine-game conference schedule, find out if the ACC will follow suit and if it is feasible. Adding conference games means more conference revenue. Plus, the allure of establishing or reigniting rivalries could serve as a boon to the conferences from a platform and visibility level. Will every conference try this, and what could be the obstacles that prevent the expansion from becoming uniform?
CFB Analyst Throws Cold Water on Potential Nine-Game ACC Schedule
Over the last few years, the ACC has taken its share of setbacks. First, Florida State was excluded from the College Football Playoff in 2023 despite being undefeated and a conference champion. As a result, FSU, Clemson, and the ACC engaged in multiple lawsuits with the schools looking to invalidate the grant of rights, which binds the schools together.
While each party settled its case, the conference continued to look for something to increase interest. Now that the SEC will use a nine-game schedule, can the ACC do the same? According to college football insider Nicole Auerbach, the answer is ‘NO.’
The ACC has a math problem if it were to go to nine conference games. Odd # of required games and odd # of schools doesn’t work.
One potential solution: One school would have to play 8 or 10 ACC games while everyone else plays 9. https://t.co/95AJ1XdpMC
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) August 22, 2025
“The ACC would have a math problem if it were to go to nine conference games. An odd number of required games and an odd number of schools doesn’t work. One potential solution: One school would have to play 8 or 10 ACC games while everyone else plays 9.”
Currently, the conference boasts 16 members. Auerbach’s assertions are correct. However, leave it to fans to offer interesting solutions. One fan wrote, “Just count one of the games against Notre Dame.”
Just count one of the games against Notre Dame.
— Severed Legs (@SeveredLegs) August 22, 2025
The Fighting Irish play ACC teams every season but are not members in football, as they choose independence. What incentive would the conference need to provide the Golden Domers to agree to this? The program currently structures its schedule with rivals like USC, Army, and Navy. One or more of those annual games would possibly need to stop.
Memphis has looked to get out of the American Conference in recent seasons. They tried to entice an invite from the Big 12 to no avail. Maybe moving to nine games could grease the metaphorical skids for an ACC move. Another fan wrote, “Add another school. I hear Memphis is interested,” reflecting on the sentiment.
add another school. I hear Memphis is interested.
— Men with Van de Ven (@_TheUnderdogs_) August 22, 2025
The Boilermakers have had just three winning seasons in the last decade and zero ten-win seasons since 1979. Under those circumstances, opposing fans want them off the Big Ten schedule. One comment read, “B10 should just loan them Purdue. That way, the B10 can play nine legit conference games instead of 8 for those that draw Purdue.”
B10 should just loan them Purdue. That way the B10 can actually play 9 legit conference games instead of 8 for those that draw Purdue.
— Bama Willy (@willhall79) August 22, 2025
Paying Notre Dame to add more ACC games or inviting schools like Memphis into the fold appears to be the most logical path for the conference. Either way, the conference will need to take drastic action to achieve a nine-game slate.
ACC should add Memphis ASAP.