Virginia Leads ACC as Teams Invest in Football Success

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – Virginia’s football team, which has not seen a winning record since 2019, is currently leading the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and competing for a potential spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP). This turnaround comes as part of a broader trend in the ACC, where six teams boast zero or one conference loss this season.

Wake Forest athletic director John Currie highlighted ongoing improvements across the league, stating, “That shouldn’t diminish the fact that the other programs in the league have made tremendous investments and have continued to get better.” These investments have significantly deepened the conference’s competitiveness. Currently, five ACC teams are ranked, including No. 14 Virginia, No. 15 Louisville, No. 17 Georgia Tech, No. 18 Miami, and No. 24 Pitt.

A comparison to 2019 reveals the ACC’s growth; only Clemson represented the league in the CFP rankings at that time. Now, nine ACC teams are in the top 50 advanced metrics, an increase from five just four years ago. Seven ACC teams have a chance of making the CFP this year, which is a marked improvement from the four teams listed last year.

Financial investments play a crucial role in this improvement. Between 2019 and 2023, Pitt, Louisville, and Georgia Tech increased their football expenditures by $10 million each. Duke significantly raised its spending by $19 million, with a reported budget of $44.1 million for the current fiscal year, aligning closely with Florida’s $45.7 million. Furthermore, Wake Forest invested $125 million in football facilities over the last 15 years.

In response to challenges faced by programs like Florida State and Clemson, the ACC introduced a new payout model that rewards successful programs in football and basketball with extra funding. Jim Phillips, ACC Commissioner, emphasized that this innovative model provides opportunities for success across member schools while encouraging necessary investments.

The new approach appears to be yielding positive early outcomes. Virginia Tech recently committed to adding $229 million to its athletic budget over the next four years, incorporating incentives tied to the new payout structure. Georgia Tech’s head coach Brent Key has also lauded the investments made at his institution, contributing to their first CFP ranking since 2014.

Virginia’s resurgence is notable as they secured their highest ranking in over two decades and tied their single-season record with seven consecutive wins. “It’s gotten to that point where if you don’t invest, you don’t have a chance,” said Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott.

This season looks promising for the ACC, potentially breaking viewership records, spurred by thrilling matchups like Virginia’s double-overtime win against Florida State. The league has seen a surge in viewership metrics, up 78 percent since last year.

Though the ACC has notable contenders and improvements, there are still hurdles to overcome. Some teams, like Pitt, SMU, and Duke, faced challenges with nonconference games but continue to hold potential within the ACC. As the season progresses, the league’s credibility may strengthen with possible upsets against prominent teams like Notre Dame and Georgia.

“Winning is expensive,” Currie stated. “But the only thing more expensive than winning is losing.”