What playoff format should the ACC support?

The last month has completely changed the dynamic of the future playoff format.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sanky doesn’t care about the format – why would he? The SEC will be a significant part of any playoff format, but I’m sure he still has some goals he doesn’t want to see road blocked.

Notre Dame just wants access.

The Pac 12 Commissioner Gary Kliakoff suggests the playoffs could be expanded before 2025.

The Big 12 is too busy trying to destablize the Pac 12 to worry about the playoffs, but I expect they’ll know they’ll be a part of it in some capacity.

Big 10 Commissioner Kevin Warren says he will “soften” his stance on AQ qualifiers. As a proxy for FOX, Warren’s goal was to get the playoffs to the open market and using the ACC and Pac 12 alliance to reach that goal. Good for Warren and FOX, mission accomplished while taking UCLA and USC away. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips got caught up in this, when he simply should have aligned with whatever ESPN wanted.

What should the ACC do in the,future?

Well first I suggest Phillips doesn’t in any way of align with the Big 10, FOX, and Kevin Warren again.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice on me.

There are two bullys on the block – so pick a side. I suggest Phillip get on board with Greg Sankey and the SEC’s goals. The SEC’s goals are ESPN’s goals, and the ACC needs to align with the entity that can help them the most. That’s ESPN. I’d also work to make sure Notre Dame stays independent and out of the Big 10 hands.

Here’s what Phillips should do.

1. Drop the AQ qualifier. Notre Dame would be happy about this. They want access to the playoff, and this would keep them independent.
2. Expand to 16 teams with no team limits. Who cares if the SEC gets 5 or 6 teams in the playoffs. With 16 teams the ACC will always be part of the playoffs, and likely would be looking at 2-4 teams themselves in the playoffs. Nearly every pre-season poll for this year has the ACC with 4-5  top 25 teams.
3. Simply ask ESPN what they want to do. If a playoff format is agreed upon, then possibly ESPN can get extension of their current deal. The SEC will do what ESPN tells them to do. The ACC should do the same. It was a good effort to try and align with the Big 10, and  to look at other playoff scenarios, but it failed. Warren did this to benefit FOX and succeded. Now Phillips needs to align with ESPN on anything they want.

The ACC needs a restructure of their TV Deal with ESPN. Phillips needs to back away from anything FOX, Warren, and the Big 10 are doing and go completely in with ESPN regarding the playoffs.

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