UPDATE: The ACC Championship landscape shifted dramatically after No. 12 Miami dominated No. 22 Pittsburgh with a commanding 38-7 victory at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. This win elevates the Hurricanes to a 10-2 overall record and 6-2 in conference play, positioning them for a potential conference championship clash against Virginia.
In a pivotal day for the ACC, No. 18 Virginia solidified its spot in the championship game by defeating Virginia Tech 27-7. Meanwhile, the outcome of No. 21 SMU’s game against California looms large. Trailing 31-21 late in the fourth quarter, a loss for the Mustangs would create a five-way tie with Miami, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Duke, all at 6-2 in conference play.
Should SMU fall, Duke, with a 7-5 overall record, could win the tiebreaker and face Virginia in the championship, which could impact the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture. However, insiders suggest the ACC might prioritize its highest-ranked team over strict adherence to tiebreakers. Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports tweeted, “This might be an unpopular take… but if I’m the ACC and Cal upsets SMU, I override the tiebreakers and put Miami in the ACC championship game against Virginia.”
Echoing this sentiment, Gaby Urrutia from 247 Sports noted that Miami’s superior point differential could bolster their case, stating, “Duke and Miami have the same conference record, two common opponents, and Miami is actually a team qualified to compete in the postseason.”
This scenario parallels the Big Ten’s controversial decision in 2020 when they selected Ohio State over Indiana for the conference championship despite Indiana’s better record. The Buckeyes went on to win the championship, later advancing to the CFP. The Big Ten justified their decision with a “competitive analysis” favoring Ohio State’s undefeated status.
The stakes are incredibly high for the ACC as they weigh their options. If Duke wins the championship against Virginia, the worst-case scenario could see the CFP committee selecting five higher-ranked conference champions, effectively sidelining the ACC from playoff contention.
All eyes will remain on the Week 14 schedule as Miami’s fate hangs in the balance. A decision favoring Miami could significantly enhance their chances for a playoff berth, making every moment count as the conference championship draws near.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the ACC navigates this critical decision.
