For the first time in three years, the Atlantic Coast Conference will not be adding any new teams. Nor have any schools changed coaches. But the average ACC fan will find some key differences for the 2006 season.
First off, there is a significant change in the rules. On most changes of possession, the clock will start when officials mark the ball ready for play, rather than when the ball is snapped. This will be most evident in the final minutes. Any team not completely prepared for that "desperation drive" could lose 10-15 seconds between the time the clock starts and the time the ball is snapped. Even teams that are lined up and immediately spike the ball to stop the clock will still lose a few seconds compared to the way in which the clock was started under the old rules. The rules makers believe starting the clock "on the ready" will save 5-7 minutes per game and shorten each game by 10-12 plays.
There will also be a change in instant replay procedures. Coaches will now be allowed to call a time out for the purpose of challenging an official's ruling. If the ensuing replay overturns the ref's decision, the coach will not be charged a time out. If the decision on the field stands, the challenging team will be charged a time out. A coach must have at least one time out remaining in order to issue a challenge.
Each school has added a twelfth game for 2006, and fans will notice the beginning of a new trend in non-conference scheduling.
With the increasing difficulty of the new ACC, coaches are looking for wins. As Clemson's Tommy Bowden told me: "I need W's. Playing more of those 'directional schools' may be the way to go."
Perhaps Bowden noticed N.C. State's success against Eastern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi and South Florida. This year, Southern Miss., Troy, East Carolina, Western Michigan and Florida International will play a collective ten games against ACC schools. And although ACC schools will continue to play some games against major intersectional foes or regional non-conference rivals, most all of them will also schedule some sure wins in and around those conference games with Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Boston College.
The bowl line-up has undergone something of a makeover. For at least the next five years, the ACC Champion is guaranteed a spot in the Orange Bowl-- assuming the league's No. 1 team does not make the National Championship Game. The Chick Filet Bowl in Atlanta now gets second pick ahead of the Gator Bowl. The Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando picks fourth, followed by the Music City Bowl in Nashville, the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, the Emerald City Bowl in San Francisco and the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise. The league has tightened its bowl selection procedures, after two of its better teams were drop-kicked to Boise and San Francisco last year. No longer will it be possible for a 3-5 team to be picked ahead of a 5-3 team.
As many as eight ACC teams could go bowling this year. With that twelfth game and the somewhat softer non-conference schedules, there is a very good chance the ACC will qualify teams for all of its bowls.
