By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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A number of non-conference games might be cancelled impacting the ACC.

College football is filled with tradition, and one of the best traditions of the sport is rivalries. But like so much in todays coronavirus era, some of college footballs best matchups and annual clashes are in danger of not happening.

During the first full week of July, the Big Ten and PAC-12 have announced they will only have conference schedules this fall. The ACC revealed Friday that it will wait until the end of July to make a decision on whether or not to follow the lead of the Big Ten and PAC-12, but CBS Sports Dennis Dodd reports the ACC is considering a conference-only slate.

The ACC has already lost the intriguing non-conference matchups of Miami-Michigan State and Virginia Tech-Penn State, but should commissioner John Swofford rule that all non-conference games are cancelled, then so many other great tilts will be lost. Here is a look at some of the carnage if the ACC does indeed deem it too difficult to play out-of-conference games in 2020.

Florida State-Florida — One of the greatest in-state rivalries in college football, the Seminoles and Gators have been playing each other for 61 straight seasons. Theyve played after Nov. 16 every year since 1977. During the 1994 and 1996 seasons, Florida State and Florida played twice, as in addition to their late-season meeting, they also squared off in the Sugar Bowl. The Gators lead the all-time series 36-26-2 and have won the last two contests since the Seminoles won five straight from 2013-17.

Clemson-South Carolina — These South Carolina rivals have faced off 117 times, and the last time these two programs ended a season without playing each other (1908), the United States was still a decade away from dealing with the Spanish Flu. Its been a lopsided rivalry lately with Clemson winning the past six meetings, but history was still possible in this years meeting. With a victory in their next matchup, Clemson would tie its series record of seven consecutive wins versus South Carolina.

Georgia Tech-Georgia — Like Clemson-South Carolina, this rivalry predates the 20th century, as Grover Cleveland just began his second non-consecutive term as U.S. president when this series began. The Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs have met 114 times and played every year since 1925. Georgia Tech hasnt had much luck against its in-state rivalry recently. Whenever they play next, the Yellow Jackets will be aiming to end losing nine of the last 11, including three straight versus the Bulldogs.

Louisville-Kentucky — It doesnt get as much national attention as the other ACC-SEC final-weekend rivalry matchups, but that doesnt mean theres any less hatred. The Wildcats dominated this series early, winning the first seven matchups, but since they began playing annually starting in 1994, the Cardinals hold a 15-11 edge. However, Kentucky has won two straight and three of the last four in the series.

North Carolina-Auburn — As painful as it will be to see decade-long rivalry streaks end, it will be equally disappointing to watch all the unique non-conference ACC matchups receive the axe as well. This season, the Tar Heels-Tigers contest was set to be the top ACC out-of-conference game. Scheduled to play on opening weekend in Atlanta, the game had major early-season implications for both teams with the Tar Heels going for conference respect while the Tigers aim to begin their season on another high note like last season versus Oregon. These two programs last played in the 2001 Peach Bowl.

Virginia-Georgia — College footballs opening weekend schedule will be decimated should the entire Power 5 not play non-conference games. Also set to meet in Atlanta on Labor Day, the Cavaliers and Bulldogs were supposed to cap off a fun first full weekend of football. These two programs last played in the 2000 Oahu Bowl. With the way college football loves to schedule non-conference games way ahead of time, it might be another 20 years before Virginia and Georgia can face each other if this one is cancelled.

Florida State-Boise State — Not nearly as many fans will miss these last two non-conference matchups as the first six on this list, but they are revenge contests for the ACC. In last years opener, Florida State embarrassingly blew an 18-point lead by not scoring in the second half to lose at home to the Broncos. This fall, the Seminoles want to be seeking payback in Week 3 on the blue turf when they were expecting to square off for just the second time.

Boston College-Kansas — The Eagles and Jayhawks also met for the first time in 2019. Kansas dominated Boston College in front of a national TV audience on a Thursday night, winning 48-24, in Chestnut Hill. Boston College, who, like Florida State, will have a new coach, wants the opportunity to save face in the series on the road this September.