The ACC stands alone among the Power Five conferences excluded from the College Football Playoff, with representatives from the Big Ten (Michigan), Pac-12 (Washington), Big 12 (Texas), and SEC (Alabama) securing spots in the final four during Sunday's selection show. Despite Florida State being the ACC's lone hope, their exclusion marked the first time an unbeaten Power Five conference champion missed the CFP, signaling concerns for flagship schools in the ACC amid ongoing conference realignment.
Texas and Washington's moves to the SEC and Big Ten, respectively, intensify worries that the decision to overlook FSU prioritizes these new "big two" conferences. The CFP committee, led by NC State AD Boo Corrigan, faced questions about setting a precedent by excluding an undefeated conference champion but provided a vague response, expressing empathy for Coach Mike Norvell and the players amid conference changes.
Seven ACC programs, including FSU, UNC, Clemson, and Miami, explored breaking the league's grant of rights last offseason. However, leaving the conference is complex and costly, with legal challenges and ongoing payments potentially totaling nearly $500 million, making it challenging even for wealthy universities to sever ties.
In an attempt to appease members, the ACC introduced a new revenue distribution model in May, rewarding success based on postseason performance starting in 2024-25. While details remain undisclosed, expectations include multi-million dollar payouts to CFP-bound teams. The model loses appeal when a prominent ACC brand misses the Playoff with an unblemished record, reflecting poorly on the conference's national standing.
CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli predicts a dire outcome for the ACC, describing this year's CFP process as the "death knell" for the conference. The committee's role in excluding an undefeated ACC champion not only costs the league prestige but also $6 million. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips finds himself in the midst of challenging times as the conference grapples with its future in the evolving landscape of college football.
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