If a pod is going to be in a division with the other 3 pods, then I believe just about everyone would want to make sure they play every time from the other 3 pods equally. In order to achieve that, then it most likely would mean either having no cross-division games or having 1-2 cross-division games that rotate.

I am not sure enough members would support partial protected cross-division games it would mean the other 3 members in the pod wouldn't get to play a team the same number of times. What motivation (for example) would Duke, UNC, and Wake have to agree to play Clemson fewer times than NC State just to preserve the Textile Bowl? Also, I don't think a majority of the members would agree to an artificial pairing (i.e. BC-VT).

If the ACC wants majority to support having protected cross-division games, then I believe the only way to achieve it is by making sure everyone is paired up with a rival or someone they want to play annually. Most likely it would mean the ACC would have to play 9 conference games so it can play 2 cross-division games (1 protected and 1 rotating). It would also mean pairing up the 4 pods and probably only have 2 pods rotate between the divisions. Assuming the ACC can get volunteers on which pods would do the rotating which may not be an easy task. Since majority of the members have multiple conference rivalries, continuing the zipper model (or some variation of it) may be the only way the ACC can appease the masses especially if alternate proposals call for having the 4 most southern schools in 1 pod or 3 of the 4 in 1 pod (equal access to the Southeast Region).