The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is set to introduce new football tiebreaker rules for the 2026 season in response to the complications arising from a five-way tie for second place this season. This tie ultimately led to the conference champion being excluded from the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP).
The announcement detailing these changes is expected to be made at a later date. In this season, Duke emerged victorious in the tiebreaker based on their conference opponents’ winning percentages and went on to defeat the regular-season champion, Virginia, in the ACC championship game. However, despite their victory, the Blue Devils were left out of the playoff picture, while Miami, one of the teams that shared the second-place tie, clinched the final at-large spot in the playoff.
Complicating the situation further, the ACC plans to transition from an eight-game to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. This change means that during the transition year, some teams will still play only eight league games. The league’s schedule for all teams was released on Tuesday, with the dates for conference games set to be unveiled in late December.
Among the 17 football-playing members of the ACC, twelve will adopt the nine-game schedule, including NC State and Duke, while five teams, North Carolina included, will play eight league games. NC State’s schedule will be unique, featuring only three true road games within the conference, along with five home games and one game against Virginia slated to take place in Brazil to kick off the season.
Each ACC team must play a minimum of ten games against Power Four conference opponents, which includes the independent team Notre Dame. This requirement puts the ACC on par with the SEC and Big 12, both of which are also moving to nine conference games in 2026.
Several upcoming inter-conference matchups have been scheduled for 2026, including UNC facing TCU from the Big 12 and Notre Dame. Duke will play Illinois from the Big Ten, while NC State is set to compete against Vanderbilt from the SEC.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips emphasized that the shift to a nine-game schedule will enhance competitive balance and scheduling opportunities, thus benefiting players, coaches, and fans alike. The phased approach affirms the conference’s dedication to maintaining competitive equity across all member institutions.
Beginning in 2027, with 17 teams in the conference, a unique scheduling arrangement will initiate where one team will once again play only eight league games, but further details surrounding this format remain to be clarified.
This restructuring aims to foster a more competitive and fair environment within college football, aligning the ACC more closely with other premier conferences while enhancing the overall experience for its athletes and supporters.