gets the same number of quality conferences game every year is re-align the divisions and protected cross-division pairings. Right now the ACC 5 quality programs (i.e. Clemson, FSU, L'ville, Miami, and VT) that most fanbases want to see play in their team's stadium as frequently as possible. The current alignment has the 3-2 split so nothing needs changing their. However, until a 6th program consistently establishes itself, the protected cross-division pairing can act as a de facto 6th program. Once a 6th program steps up, then the protected cross-division game would become the 7th quality game (hence why it is played every year). So that means VT should be paired up with UVA, BC should be paired up with Syracuse, and Pitt-L'ville because the only pairing by default. VT can't simply swap places with BC or Syracuse because then the Atlantic will have 4 quality programs. While the Coastal will only have 1 (Miami). However, Pitt and VT could swap with L'ville and BC (or Syracuse) to maintain the balance.

If the ACC switches to a 9 game conference with 1 protected game, then it can establish a future rotation pattern for the remaining 6 programs. Let's assume these are the divisions:

Atlantic/Coastal
BC-Syracuse
Pitt-L'ville
VT-UVA
Wake-Duke
NC State-UNC
Clemson-GT
FSU-Miami

VT's 2 rotating cross-division games will be with Syracuse, L'ville, Duke, UNC, GT, and Miami. The ACC can structure the rotation that every pairing can have 1 quality program.

Year 1 & 2 - Syracuse and UNC (UNC designated quality in this case)
Year 3 & 4 - GT and L'ville
Year 5 & 6 - Duke and Miami

For the teams in the Coastal, the same would be true (using UVA for example purposes).

Year 1 & 2 - BC and Clemson
Year 3 & 4 - Pitt and NC State (either school can be designated as quality in this case)
Year 5 & 6 - Wake and FSU

By structuring it this way, teams don't have to worry about playing 2 teams from the same state or region in the same 2 year cycle and then have to wait 4 years before playing a team from that part of the ACC territory again. Also, if a Coastal team gets to play Clemson, FSU, and VT, then each 2 year period will only have 1 team on the schedule.

Year 1 & 2: Clemson
Year 3 & 4: FSU
Year 5 & 6: VT

Unfortunately to get the most out of my proposal, then it helps if both divisions have the same number of quality programs (based on national audience criteria) because the ACC can spread them out better within the 6 year cycle.


[Post edited by VTHokie2000 at 04/21/2017 5:45PM]