UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the No. 12 Miami Hurricanes have placed themselves in prime position for the ACC Championship Game following a decisive 38-7 victory over No. 22 Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium on December 2, 2023. This blowout win, witnessed by 49,845 fans, boosts Miami’s record to 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the ACC.
The Hurricanes’ win is pivotal as No. 18 Virginia solidified its spot in the ACC Championship with a 27-7 win against Virginia Tech earlier today. Meanwhile, No. 21 SMU faced difficulties against California, trailing 31-21 late in the fourth quarter, risking a five-way tie in the conference standings. If SMU loses, Miami, Pitt, Georgia Tech, and Duke could all end up with 6-2 records in ACC play.
Duke, despite an overall record of 7-5, could find itself in the championship game should it win the tiebreaker. However, recent discussions among college football analysts suggest that the ACC might prioritize Miami’s higher ranking and potential for the College Football Playoff (CFP) over strict adherence to tiebreakers.
“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,” tweeted Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports.
Echoing this sentiment, Gaby Urrutia of 247 Sports noted, “Apparently the Big Ten has done this before.” He referred to a precedent set in 2020 when the Big Ten selected Ohio State over Indiana for its championship game, despite Indiana having a better conference record.
The ACC now faces a critical decision: opt for Miami, which boasts a more favorable point differential against common opponents, or stick with the conventional tiebreaker rules that currently favor Duke. This decision could have significant implications, as Miami could be a stronger contender for the CFP.
The worst-case scenario for the ACC involves Duke winning the championship and subsequently being excluded from the CFP due to higher-ranked conference champions. The stakes are high as the Week 14 schedule unfolds and the ACC’s deliberations begin.
As the drama unfolds, college football fans will be watching closely to see if the ACC follows the Big Ten’s lead in prioritizing competitive balance over strict tiebreaker rules. The outcome will not only determine Miami’s championship aspirations but could also reshape the landscape of the College Football Playoff.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to unfold. For real-time updates, follow our sports coverage.