In July of 2021, within a hotel conference room in Uptown Charlotte, one day before ACC football media days, the head coaches of the conference gathered to hear a presentation.
Then-Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, assigned to explain to the group the new expanded College Football Playoff, stood before them. For more than an hour, Swarbrick described the 12-team format, the very same one having its inaugural kickoff this weekend.
As his presentation ended, Swarbrick glanced around the room at troubling expressions.
They hated it.
Most among the haters? Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.