The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is contemplating changes to its championship game to enhance its competitiveness. Commissioner Jim Phillips confirmed that discussions are underway with coaches and athletic directors about potentially implementing a new system, as reported by ESPN’s Andrea Adelson.
The ACC Championship Game May See Transformation
The new modifications could redefine the championship format while boosting the conference’s presence in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
One proposal gaining traction involves providing the regular-season champion a bye while having the second- and third-placed teams battle in the ACC Championship Game. Phillips explained:
“You go through the regular season and whoever wins the regular season, just park them to the side, and then you play the second-place team vs. the third-place team in your championship game. So you have a regular-season champion, and then you have a conference tournament or postseason champion.”
This approach could reduce the risks faced by high-performing teams. For instance, in 2024, the SMU Mustangs entered the ACC championship with an impressive 11-1 record and the No. 8 spot in the CFP rankings.
Facing the Clemson Tigers, SMU lost but still managed to claim the final playoff berth. Under the proposed structure, such teams might avoid jeopardizing their playoff chances with a late-season defeat.
Another option being considered is a semifinal system, where the top four ACC teams compete during the final regular-season weekend. Winners of these matchups would then advance to the championship game.
Despite these discussions, eliminating the championship game is not on the table. Championship games are a vital revenue stream, supported by lucrative television contracts. Modifications to the format must account for both competitive fairness and financial implications.
As discussions progress during the ACC’s winter meetings, the conference will carefully weigh the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a new format. These proposed changes are also driven by the desire to align more closely with the CFP’s evolving structure.
Broader Changes in College Football Playoff
While the ACC evaluates its options, the CFP itself is under scrutiny for potential adjustments. The current 12-team system guarantees automatic playoff spots to the five highest-ranked conference champions.
However, this has sparked debates about seeding fairness. For instance, this season saw the No. 9 Boise State Broncos and the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils receive first-round byes as conference champions, while higher-ranked teams, such as the No. 3 Texas Longhorns and the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions, were required to play in the opening round.
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These disparities have prompted calls for refinements to the seeding process. Minor tweaks could be introduced as early as next season.
It will include more substantial changes, like expanding the playoff to 14 or 16 teams, potentially being implemented starting in the 2026–27 season. This timeline coincides with the beginning of a new six-year contract with ESPN.
Rich Clark, the CFP executive director, highlighted the importance of reviewing the current system:
“The commissioners and our athletic director from Notre Dame will look at everything across the board, and we’re going to tee them up so that they can really have a thorough look at the playoff looking back after this championship game is done.”
With the ACC examining its championship format and the CFP preparing for its next phase, college football is entering a period of transformation.
The CFP’s current agreement with the New Year’s Six Bowls, which host the quarterfinals matchups, expires after the 2025-26 season. Starting in 2026, voting rules for CFP modifications will shift to favor powerhouse conferences like the SEC and Big Ten.
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