ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech football is buzzing again after its first 4–0 start since 2014 and a climb to No. 16 in the AP Top 25. Lifelong fans like Luke Cowart, once accustomed to empty seats and lopsided losses, are now witnessing big crowds and a team favored by two touchdowns in ACC play. Head coach Brent Key’s steady rebuild, bolstered by talent development and roster stability, has energized Atlanta. Attendance is surging, players feel the home-field edge and the Yellow Jackets’ resurgence is reshaping expectations for both the program and the ACC race.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is moving to a nine-game league schedule for football while having teams play at least 10 games against power-conference opponents, though there will be variables due to the league’s odd number of football-playing member schools. Going from an eight- to a nine-game model would align the ACC with its power-conference peers in the Big 12, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences. The ACC would join the SEC in playing 10 games against Power Four opponents. The SEC announced its plans for a nine-game schedule last month.
UNDATED (AP) — The leader of a major college athletics multimedia rights holder believes sponsor patches will soon appear on team jerseys. Schools are under pressure to find new revenue sources in this era of revenue-sharing with athletes. Learfield President and CEO Cole Gahagan says power conference schools could earn hundreds of millions once NCAA approval is granted. Sponsor patches are common in international soccer and major U.S. sports leagues. The NCAA's recent decision to allow ads on football fields makes uniform patches seem inevitable. Apparel contract exclusivity could be a potential holdup.
