ACC Considers Revamping Championship Game Format for Playoff Era
With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the Atlantic Coast Conference is considering changes to its Conference Championship Game format. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips announced on Sunday that the league will engage in discussions with coaches and athletic directors to ensure the championship game remains meaningful. The decision to revisit the format comes as conference officials look to maintain the integrity of their postseason. At the same time, wanting to adapt to a rapidly evolving playoff landscape.
SMU’s Experience and Notre Dame’s Unique Situation
A key reason for the ACC’s reevaluation of its championship game format stems from last season’s experience with SMU. Despite finishing the regular season as the ACC's top team, SMU lost to Clemson in the title game and was forced to nervously wait until selection day before securing a spot in the expanded CFP. Phillips also noted the growing debate surrounding Notre Dame's position, as the team is independent and does not have a conference championship game. While Notre Dame is not part of the ACC for football, it plays a partial ACC schedule and regularly competes against some of the league's best. Unlike ACC teams that compete in a conference championship game, Notre Dame avoids the potential risk of injury from an additional game, which could give them a competitive advantage in a 12-team playoff format. Without the extra game, the Irish have fewer opportunities for their players to get hurt, potentially improving their chances of making a deeper run in the playoffs compared to conference champions, who face the added physical toll of a championship game.
Possible Changes to the Format
To address concerns like these, Phillips suggested several potential changes to the ACC's current format. One idea being discussed is giving the regular-season champion a bye and having the second and third-place teams play in the conference title game. This proposal would emphasize regular-season performance and help avoid scenarios where teams risk their playoff chances by playing in the conference championship. Additionally, it would prevent teams from being penalized for being in a conference with a playoff-bound champion while preserving the excitement of the Championship Game.
Introducing a "Final Four" Concept
Another potential change being considered is a "final four" style format for the final weekend of the regular season. The top four teams in the ACC would square off in a one-weekend showdown: first place would play fourth place, and second place would play third place, with the winners advancing to the championship game. This could provide teams with one last opportunity to prove themselves in an exciting and high-stakes regular-season finale, keeping the conference title game competitive and meaningful. It would also align more closely with the playoff format, where the importance of regular-season rankings could carry even more weight.
Seeking Feedback from Coaches
Phillips stressed that input from ACC coaches will be crucial in shaping the future of the championship game. He pointed to SMU’s head coach, Rhett Lashlee, who suggested that his team might have been better off not playing in the championship game to preserve their playoff position. To gather feedback, Phillips will hold a conference call with the league's coaches next week. The discussion will focus on how changes to the championship game could impact the league's overall competitiveness while considering the unique challenges faced by independent programs like Notre Dame.
Looking Ahead to Winter Meetings
These conversations will continue during the ACC’s winter meetings next month in Charlotte, North Carolina, where athletic directors will also weigh in on the future of the conference's postseason format. Phillips emphasized the need for the league to adapt to the new playoff structure in a way that maintains the competitiveness of both the regular season and the championship game. The impact of teams like Notre Dame, which lacks a conference title game, and the new CFP format, will play a central role in these discussions as the ACC works to ensure its teams remain competitive in the playoff race. The league aims to strike a balance between preserving tradition and adapting to the changes that come with an expanded playoff field.
