As for what the best approach is, there is no perfect answer IMO.

But I suspect the ACC will try to find one that keeps the conference slate at 8 games, but requires at least 10 P5 games on the schedule (which is not limited to non-ACC teams). So with only mildly ingenious scheduling, 1) ACC schools can retain a 7 home game model, 2) put together home schedules that are at least as appealing as before, 3) satisfy the schools that have annual OOC P5 rivalry games (something the P5's other than the ACC & SEC do almost none of), and 4) potentially provide the ACCN with better content.

I suspect Whit thinks this is the way it is headed and is why he has been so proactive in advance scheduling a bunch of Big10 squads to home & home's before 6 or 8 other ACC schools jump into that fight (and not because of the silly notion floated here that it's because the Big10 is looking at VT for an invite).

So to answer your question, I think it's easier to schedule that 9th game as a non-conf game from a combined pool of non-conf and, if need be, conf opponents.


[Post edited by marcbvtgm at 08/08/2016 12:59PM]