An alliance between the ACC, Big XII and SEC could include a revamped schedule that would have each school in the three conferences playing 10 conference games plus a non-conference game that would be scheduled for the Miami football team.
Several teams including the four rivalries matchups between ACC and SEC teams in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina already have at least one or two-game scheduled against teams from one of the other two conferences. The Miami football program would have non-conference games re-scheduled.
The Miami football team is currently scheduled to play Temple, FCS Wagner and UAB in non-conference. The decision by the Big 10 to only play conference games in 2020 canceled Miami’s September 26 game at Michigan State. In the 10 plus one model, a non-conference game would be added to the Miami football schedule.
The newly scheduled game would be against a Big XII or SEC opponent. Several teams in the ACC, Big XII and SEC already have non-conference games scheduled against teams from the other two conferences. Florida State and Georgia have two games scheduled against ACC, Big XII and SEC opponents in non-conference.
Florida State is scheduled to open the season against West Virginia on September 5 in Atlanta. The Seminoles are scheduled to host Florida on November 28. Georgia is scheduled to open the season against September 7 against Virginia in Atlanta and host Georgia Tech November 28.
ACC, Big XII/ SEC non-conference matchups
Week One:
West Virginia (replaces UGA) vs UVA and drops game vs FSU both were scheduled for Atlanta
Week Two:
Mississippi State at North Carolina State
North Carolina versus Auburn in Atlanta
Boston College at Kansas
Arkansas at Notre Dame
Texas at LSU
Tennessee at Oklahoma
Ole Miss at Baylor
Week Three
Boston College at Kansas
Vanderbilt at Kansas State
ACC teams without a non-conference game against Big XII or SEC
Miami, Duke, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest,
Big XII teams without a non-conference game versus ACC or SEC
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech
SEC teams without a non-conference game against ACC or Big XII
Alabama and Texas A&M
Examining the potential non-conference schedule
The expectation is that the Florida State-West Virginia and Georgia-Virginia games would be canceled to preserve the rivalry games against the Gators and Yellow Jackets. West Virginia would replace Georgia in Atlanta against Virginia.
Any ACC, Big XII, or SEC programs that have more than one non-conference game scheduled against a team from one of the other conferences expect those teams to be replaced in the non-rivalry games. Clemson-South Carolina, Florida-Florida State, Georgia-Georgia Tech and Louisville-Kentucky are trying to be protected.
Alabama was scheduled to play USC in Arlington, Texas September 5 to begin the season but with the Pac 12 going to an all-conference schedule, the Crimson Tide now has an opening. There has been a lot of speculation who would replace the Trojans as the week one opponent, for Alabama.
There was conjecture earlier this month that BYU could replace USC. In the ACC, Big XII, SEC plus one proposal, the Cougars do not fit the criteria as an independent if the conferences only want to compete among themselves. BYU could have trouble playing this season with any type of all-conference scheduling.
There are already several non-conference games between ACC, Big XII and SEC teams. The decision by the Advocare Classic in Arlington will come down to wanting to keep a team local versus who might be the best fit for Alabama. TCU is reportedly considering adding Alabama week one.
The Horned Frogs would make the most sense by keeping a team regional. The Texas Christian Campus in Fort Worth is less than 20 miles from AT&T Stadium. Alabama would be the only team to have to travel which would balance out trying to play football and traveling to another area of the country.
That could keep teams out of a hot spot for Covid-19 where it might not be as bad as near their campus. Based on pure speculation, TCU is the best fit to replace USC against Alabama. Six ACC teams, four Big XII teams and two SEC teams do not have previously scheduled non-conference games in the 2020 plus one concept.
Those 12 teams including Alabama and TCU would have to be matched up out of conference. The test becomes difficult to schedule. Texas A&M as a former member of the Big XII and in the same region of the country as Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech would seem like the most logical matchups.
If TCU plays Alabama that reduces the pool of Big XII teams without a non-conference game to three. If Texas A&M matched up against Texas Tech or Oklahoma State that would leave six ACC schools without a non-conference game, two Big XII schools and one in the SEC. Texas A&M would have to play an ACC school.
The problem with TCU playing Alabama is the uneven numbers remaining. Once Texas A&M would be matched up with an ACC school, there would be Five ACC schools without a non-conference game and three in the Big XII. That would create too much of an imbalance. A balance is going to have to be decided.
That could lead to Virginia Tech playing in Arlington against Alabama instead of TCU. It’s a tough situation for the ACC, Big XII and SEC commissioners to have to make. From a safety standpoint, it makes more sense to keep TCU close to their own campus but it creates an issue in the plus-one format.
Miami football and Texas Tech seem the most logical for two reasons. Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt was at Miami from 2008-2011. Lubbock and Coral Gables while over 1,600 miles apart are both in the South and based purely on speculating how the three conference commissioners might want to match teams could be a good fit.
That leaves Duke, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Wake Forest in the ACC, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and TCU in the Big XII and Texas A&M in the SEC. Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher previously coached against Syracuse and Wake Forest annually when he was in the ACC.
A matchup between Fisher’s Aggies who are on the rise and Wake Forest and their innovative offense led by head coach Dave Clawson would be intriguing. Where the game would be played would be open for speculation. Like the previously matched up teams if the plus one schedule is instituted it’s clearly all about money.
The idea of keeping the power five teams against each other is one of comfort and resources. The Power Five schools have far more money to be able to test their players that college football programs in the group of five or FCS. With Texas A&M and Wake matched up that would leave three more games.
Iowa State against Pittsburgh would provide the ACC and Big XII with the ability to use region as an excuse for the Cyclones and Panthers playing with both being in the Northern part of the United States. Pittsburgh and Ames are about 800 miles apart. Oklahoma State, TCU, Duke and Syracuse would remain.
Duke and TCU would seem like a logical matchup with their roots based as schools founded on religion and smaller enrollments than Syracuse and Oklahoma State. If the Orange and Cowboys were to be scheduled in non-conference that would have to be another game that would disregard safety.
The plus one schedule and 2020 college football season are evolving every day. Conference commissioners and administrators are trying to save the season, keep the schedule interesting and try and keep players safe all at the same time. That might be an impossible task in 2020. The Miami football schedule will evolve.