You bring up a big concern.
I am willing to endure some imbalance to preserve rivalries.

But to your point, theoretically you could have 3 undefeated teams. Then what? I wouldn't trust the CFP committee to put all three in the CFP, nor should we expect that of them. Plus, we don't want any controversy as to our own title game.

I'd schedule at least one FLEX week late in the season. This would be a week that all ACC schools are TENTATIVELY scheduled with ACC opponents, but none of them are "protected games". Then, the ACC can see if the standings and existing schedule are leading us to a problem. If so, then you shift the schedule a bit to have what they anticipate to be a problem and fix it. For example, let's say Clemson, UNC and VT are all undefeated, But none of them are on each other's schedule. Well, the conference in the FLEX week might just say, Hey VT, I know you were schedules to play Syracuse this week, but you are playing UNC this week. And UNC, I know you were scheduled to play Louisville this week, but you are now playing VT. And if Louisville and Syracuse are already scheduled to play one another, they just shift the schedule of the ACC a bit more to prevent a rematch that weekend. OR, don't even bother with tentative opponents, just label it "ACC FLEX WEEK" on everyone's schedule. The whole weekend might even be fun, since you won't know who you are playing until the previous Monday. BTW, I would do this as late in the season as possible but before rivalry week. It would also be cool in the FLEX week to pair up teams who are struggling so one of them can pick up a W. But the bottom line is, the ACC controls it and doesn't leave any doubt who the most worthy two teams are come ACCCG time.

BTW: BYU and Coastal Carolina played on like two days notice and it was one of the most interesting and quality games of the year. If Covid taught us anything, it is that we can and should be more flexible.


[Post edited by Maroon Baboon at 06/17/2021 1:03PM]