Atlantic Coast Conference university presidents, after their fourth conference call in less than two weeks to discuss expansion, appear to be at an impasse and now are considering another possible solution, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Needing to include Virginia Tech to secure Virginia’s decisive vote for expansion, ACC university presidents on Saturday discussed replacing Boston College or Syracuse with Virginia Tech in a three-team expansion, the source said.

Virginia is under considerable political pressure and cannot vote for expansion without protecting Virginia Tech’s interests, according to sources close to both schools.

The other scenarios discussed Saturday were a four-team expansion that includes Virginia Tech and the one-team addition of Miami that’s preferred by North Carolina chancellor James Moeser.

Because the ACC’s original intentions were for a three-team expansion that would create a 12-member league — the minimum needed to hold a potentially lucrative conference football championship game — it’s believed that the conference considers that the optimal solution.

There is some concern, sources said, that a 13th member would provide little additional income while dividing revenues one more way.

It appears likely the presidents will convene early this week. A four-team expansion wouldn’t occur until the 2005-06 school year, but the other possibilities might occur for the 2004-05 school year; in that instance, any departing Big East schools would have to double their exit fee to $2 million if they don’t announce their plans by June 30.

“Consideration and clarification of a number of institutional questions were the focus of the meeting,” the ACC said in a statement.