ESPN Could Want More Intra-Conference Football Games If ACC Network Launches

Georgia Tech AD Mike Bobinski said that if a proposed ACC Network were to go forward, ESPN will "likely want more 'inventory' to put on the channel, meaning an additional conference game" for football, according to Ken Sugiura of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The ACC and ESPN this week are "expected to have an update on where things stand in regards to a possible ACC channel." Bobinski said it "wouldn’t be the worst thing to have an additional ACC game as opposed to hunting around the country” for a non-conference game. ACC teams currently play an eight-game conference schedule, and there has been "considerable pushback against a ninth game due to Notre Dame’s agreement to play five ACC opponents annually." Georgia Tech, Clemson, Florida State and Louisville "all play SEC opponents" annually, meaning those schools would play "nine conference games, an SEC rival and Notre Dame in the same 12-game season roughly once every three seasons" (AJC.com, 1/28).