ACC rivals North Carolina and Wake Forest have scheduled “nonconference games for 2019 and 2021” against each other, marking the “first time two teams from a Power Five conference play each other in an originally scheduled nonconference game,” according to Dan Collins of the WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL. The rivalry began in 1888 and is the “oldest between two southern universities.” The schools “have played each other 105 times,” but only four times since ’04 (JOURNALNOW.com, 1/26). YAHOO SPORTS’ Sam Cooper noted the schools next play each other in conference games in ’15 and ’22. The deal for the ’19 and ’21 games “satisfies the ACC’s requirement of each program scheduling at least one power five team in its non-conference slate” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/26). USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken noted instead of UNC and Wake “spending upwards" of $1M to fill a non-conference date with "someone like Louisiana-Monroe or North Texas, they will play a more cost-effective game against a real rival.” That likely will “generate more fan interest and ticket sales.” While the agreement is a “bit awkward and will create some confusion, it’s pretty much a win-win” for the schools. The move is something other ACC schools “could look to duplicate” (USATODAY.com, 1/26). Pac-12 schools Cal and Colorado played a non-conference game in '11, but that game was scheduled prior to Colorado joining the conference (THE DAILY).
A CONFUSING DEAL THAT MAKES SENSE: In DC, Matt Bonesteel noted the UNC-WFU move was met with "both understanding and mild mockery by the college football cognoscenti," with some pointing out a "lack of scheduling imagination among the two teams." However, it "actually makes a certain amount of sense: It’s safe to say that more tickets will be sold for these games than, say, games against FCS or low-level FBS teams." It also is "another Power Five team on each team’s schedule" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/26). ESPN’s Joe Schad called the agreement "confusing" and said, "If you want to play more ACC games, here’s a grand idea: Add another conference game to the schedule or play some non-conference opponents against like-minded programs.” ESPN’s Tom Luginbill noted there is a “proximity” factor to the series. He said, "You don’t have cost issues, it’s better than scheduling FCS opponents -- there are some positives” (“College Football Live,” ESPNU, 1/26). ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson admitted the scheduling is "bizarre," but "no more bizarre than the schools playing just four times since 2004." Adelson: "North Carolina and Wake Forest made a bold choice. They opted not to be held hostage by the way the ACC schedule is made" (ESPN.com, 1/26).
