TV deal shuffles plus-one model out of game

Pending BCS contract runs through 2014, precluding changes until after it expires

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

GREENSBORO, Ga. — ACC commissioner John Swofford, who has started a second term overseeing the Bowl Championship Series, said it would be at least six years before there is a chance the plus-one model for a playoff could be implemented.

The BCS television deal with Fox expires in two years, and negotiations on a four-year TV deal —thus locking in the current format through 2014 — should be done by Christmas.

Furthermore, Swofford said the majority of the school presidents from the 11 conferences “have a certain comfort level” with the current format and do not favor change.

Swofford hinted that a number of ACC presidents were interested in exploring the playoff idea, but opposition from the Pac-10 and Big Ten precluded the ACC and SEC from having a formal vote.

“One of the challenges of the BCS is that it must be a unanimous consensus-builder,” Swofford said.

‘Game Day’ at opener. ESPN’s “College GameDay” program will be in Atlanta for Clemson’s Aug. 30 season opener against Alabama in the Georgia Dome.

Extra points. Nine of the league’s 12 teams have a Thursday night football game, but, for the first time, the ACC scheduled at least a seven-day window of preparation time for each team... . Instant replay overturned 22 percent (40 of 171) of reviewed calls during ACC games a year ago. ACC football officials coordinator Doug Rhoads estimated the new NCAA rules with a 40-second running play clock should save about 10 minutes of event time while keeping the number of offensive plays per game at 70-76... . Junior defensive end Ricky Sapp is one of 36 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Award, the honor given each year to the top defensive end in college football. Sapp is one of four ACC players on the list. He is joined by Everette Brown of Florida State, Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech, and Willie Young of N.C. State... . North Carolina men’s basketball player Tyler Hansbrough and Virginia Tech softball pitcher Angela Tincher were named the ACC’s athletes of the year.