Let's start with VT, since this is a VT board. Since joining the ACC in 2004, VT has mostly followed a 8:1 model (8 ACC games, plus 1 major OOC / "Power 5" game). The OOC opponents included:

* WVU - 04, 05
* Cincinnati - 06 (Big East "counted" as major at the time)
* LSU - 07
* Nebraska - 08, 09
* Biode State - 10
* Pitt - 12
* Alabama - 13
* Ohio State - 14, 15
* Purdue - 15

Only in 2011 did VT fail to have a major OOC opponent... and that was mainly due to Syracuse cancelling games in 10 & 11.

Starting last year, VT seems to be moving to the 8:2 model in most years:
15 - Ohio State, Purdue
16 - Tennessee, Notre Dame
17 - WVU
18 - Notre Dame
19 - Notre Dame
20 - Penn State, Michigan
21 - Notre Dame, WVU, Michigan
22 - WVU
23 - Purdue, Rutgers
24 - Rutgers, Wisconsin
25 - Wisconsin, Penn State

There are a few years where we stay at 8:1... but clearly the trend is already established for 8:2. In 2021, VT plays 8:3 if schedules hold.

If the ACC mandated 8:2 starting in 2019, VT would be compliant already except for 2019 and 2022 (which has an open date). We are already there.

If the ACC goes to a 9 game schedule, would VT simply go with 9:2 leaving only one lower division game? I would hope so from a fan perspective. Lose the FCS games and play rework the ECU and ODU series for only one of them per year. It would be an exciting schedule... but probably much more challenging than most teams will play.

As much as I like the cool OOC opponents VT has scheduled in the next decade, I would rather see 9 ACC games. I understand the difficulties of the teams with SEC OOC rivalries. Therefore, I think the key is to count only division games for the division championship. Essentially... a 6:3:1 proposal. Each team will have:

* 6 division games (count in the standings)
* 3 games against the other division, including 1 "sticky". The Notre Dame games will be part of these 3 games - not "in addition to". (will not count in the standings)
* 1 Power 5 OOC minimum.

Take FSU for example. Under the 6:3:1 proposal, they play their usual 6 Atlantic division teams, plus Miami every year and two other games from the Coastal or ND. 9 ACC games, but only six count in the standings. They are no longer at a disadvantage with playing Miami every year... it can be for simple old-fashioned state hate! With their annual game against Florida... they have 10... with two games to schedule OOC.

This should allow more intra-division matchups and still allow flexibility for OOC scheduling.