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ACC tiebreakers: Championship Game clinching scenarios in Week 14

ACC tiebreakers: Championship Game clinching scenarios in Week 14

Final result: Virginia and Duke clinched the two ACC title game berths.

The final weekend of the 2025 college football season is upon us and oh what a beautiful mess we have in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The ACC has had the most chaotic race towards its conference title game this season as seemingly every week has featured a potential league contender being dragged down to the rest of the pack. The spirit of the old ACC Wheel of Destiny is alive and six schools remain in contention for next Saturday’s league title game in Charlotte.

Below, we’ll go over the myriad of ACC clinching scenarios for this weekend and you can brush up on the league’s tiebreaker policies right here.

School ACC Record Overall Record
Virginia 7-1 10-2
Duke 6-2 9-3
SMU 6-2 8-4
Miami 6-2 10-2
Georgia Tech 6-2 9-3
Pitt 6-2 8-4
Wake Forest 4-3 8-3
Clemson 4-4 6-5
Louisville 4-4 7-4
NC State 3-4 6-5
Cal 3-4 6-5
Stanford 3-5 4-7
North Carolina 2-5 4-7
Virginia Tech 2-5 3-8
Florida State 2-6 5-6
Syracuse 1-6 3-8
Boston College 0-7 1-10

Week 14 Matchup: vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: Virginia beat Virginia Tech 27-7 to win their rivalry game. The Cavaliers clinched one of the two ACC title game spots.

-Win
Or SMU loss + Pitt loss + North Carolina win

Virginia is in a win-and-in situation this weekend, which would propel the program to its first ACC title game appearance since 2019. The Cavaliers have experienced a dramatic turnaround under fourth-year head coach Tony Elliott this season and are on the verge of just the second 10-win campaign in school history. Their only blemish in league play this season was a 16-9 loss to Wake Forest earlier this month and while they did drop a game to NC State back in September, that was part of a home-and-home agreement between the two schools that did not count towards the ACC standings.

UVA will host arch rival Virginia Tech on Saturday and will have to exorcise some demons in order to punch its ticket to Charlotte. The Hokies have thoroughly dominated this rivalry since 1999 and the aforementioned 2019 season was the last time the Cavs came out on top.

Week 14 Matchup: @ Cal, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: SMU lost to Cal by a score of 38-35. This eliminated them from ACC title game contention.

-Win
Or Pitt loss + Duke loss + Virginia win + North Carolina win
Or Pitt loss + Duke loss + Virginia win + NC State win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Georgia Tech & Miami in SportSource Analytics ranking
Or Pitt loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + North Carolina win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Georgia Tech & Miami in SportSource Analytics ranking

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. update: Duke beat Wake Forest, which means SMU has to win to secure a berth in the ACC title game.

SMU also has a simple win-and-in pathway to the ACC title game this weekend and if it loses, its fate would be left up to several hyper-specific scenarios playing out. Starting this year at 2-2, the Mustangs were seemingly taking a step back after their breakthrough 2024 campaign where they made both the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. However, Rhett Lashlee’s team turned it up once conference play began with their lone setback being a one-point loss to Wake Forest in late October.

They will head out west to Berkeley to face Cal on Saturday and may have the benefit of playing a checked out Golden Bears program that just fired head coach Justin Wilcox earlier in the week.

Week 14 Matchup: vs Miami, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: Pitt lost to Miami by a score of 31-7. With the loss, the Panthers were eliminated from contention for the ACC title game.

-Win + Virginia loss
Or Win + SMU loss

Pitt needs to knock off Miami at home on Saturday and should it handle business, then everyone in the yinzer-land will become the biggest fans of both Virginia Tech and Cal later that night. A middling 2-2 start to the season prompted head coach Pat Narduzzi to make a quarterback change from Eli Holstein to Mason Heintschel and the Panthers have been rolling ever since, winning six of their last seven games.

Something to note is that the last five Pitt-Miami matchups in Pittsburgh have been decided by 10 points or less, with the Panthers last beating the Hurricanes at home in 2017.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Week 14 Matchup: vs. Georgia, Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: Georgia Tech lost 16-9 to Georgia.

-Pitt win + Virginia loss + SMU loss
Or Miami win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + NC State win
Or Miami Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + North Carolina win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Miami & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking
Or Miami Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia win + NC State win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Miami & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. update: Duke beat Wake Forest and Pitt lost to Miami. That means Georgia Tech has been eliminated from ACC title game contention.

Georgia Tech has already finished ACC play and only has its Clean, Old Fashioned Hate rivalry against Georgia to look forward to on Friday. The Jackets’ conference title hopes are out of their control and their easiest path to Charlotte requires Pitt, Virginia Tech, and Cal all triumphing this weekend.

Tech was one of the last undefeated teams in the entire country at 8-0 before late-season losses to NC State and Pitt severely damaged both its ACC title and CFP aspirations. Again, there is still a possibility for the Wramblin’ Wreck to appear in the conference title game, but they’re going to need some help to get there.

Week 14 Matchup: vs. Wake Forest, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: Duke beat Wake Forest 49-32. Pitt lost Miami and SMU lost to Cal, which secured one of the two ACC title game spots for Duke.

-Win + Pitt loss + SMU loss
Or Win + Pitt loss + SMU loss + Virginia loss
Or Win + Pitt loss + Virginia loss + North Carolina win
Or Win + Pitt loss + Virginia loss + NC State win + Finish higher than Miami in SportSource Analytics ranking

That’s right, the ACC has been so chaotic this season that a five-loss Duke team still has a shot at winning the league title. With a new contender being knocked off each week, experts even began gaming out scenarios where a Duke conference title potentially left the league out of the CFP entirely.

The Blue Devils’ path to Charlotte requires a win over Wake Forest on Saturday and a number of outcomes that will benefit them, the simplest being both Miami and Cal winning that day. Duke has not appeared in the ACC title game since 2013 and has not won at least a share of the conference title since Steve Spurrier’s 1989 team.

Week 14 Matchup: @ Pitt, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET

Week 14 result: Miami beat Pitt on Saturday and now waits to see if they get the help they need from a host of games the rest of the day.

-Win + Virginia loss + Duke loss + SMU win
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + NC State win
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + North Carolina win + Syracuse win
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia loss + North Carolina win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Georgia Tech & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia win + NC State win + Syracuse win
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke loss + Virginia win + NC State win + Boston College win + Finish higher than Georgia Tech & SMU in SportSource Analytics ranking
Or Win + SMU loss + Duke win + Virginia loss + NC State win
Or Win + SMU win + Duke win + Virginia loss + NC State win + Finish higher than Duke in SportSource Analytics ranking

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. update: Duke beat Wake Forest, which means Miami has been eliminated from ACC title game contention.

Miami at one point looked like possibly the best team in the entire country and carried a No. 2 ranking into its Friday-night showdown against Louisville on October 17. However, a loss in that game and another setback at SMU two weeks later has left the Hurricanes’ postseason aspirations on shaky footing. The biggest controversy on the CFP front is them being ranked behind Notre Dame despite having an identical record with a direct head-to-head victory over the Fighting Irish. An ACC title game victory would help their case tremendously, but a lot needs to happen to make that a reality.

The Hurricanes obviously need to knock off Pitt on Saturday and then hope for a lot of good fortune to make it to Charlotte. The easiest path is Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and SMU all winning their respective games this weekend, but the ‘U’ can also get in through other pathways explained above.

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#ACC #tiebreakers #Championship #Game #clinching #scenarios #Week

The decision continues a recent trend of Kentucky Derby winners skipping the Preakness. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winning horse to skip the Preakness joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022) and Sovereignty last year.

And the decision is the latest bit of evidence that the schedule needs to be changed.

For years, trainers and analysts alike have argued that the two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was simply too short for the horses. After Sovereignty’s win a year ago Michael Banahan, a member of the ownership team, said this:

“He ran really hard today. And especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit. If he responds well, maybe we look at that, you know? But I don’t want to jump in straightaway. We’ll enjoy today. Today was the goal.”

And trainer Bill Mott laid the groundwork as well, saying this after Sovereignity won the Kentucky Derby: “We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told reporters. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”

After skipping the Preakness, Sovereignty went on to win the Belmont Stakes. Even with a potential Triple Crown off the table, Mott stood by the decision.

Now we will see if Golden Tempo can match that feat.

And if the schedule gets changed in the future.

#Kentucky #Derby #winner #Golden #Tempo #Preakness">Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo to miss Preakness  When Golden Tempo took the victory at the Kentucky Derby, the win made history as Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the storied race.But that history will not extend to the Preakness.Citing Golden Tempo’s “health,” DeVaux announced on social media that the team will “bypass” the Preakness Stakes. “Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort,” wrote DeVaux on social media. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”DeVaux indicated that the team is “pointing” Golden Tempo toward the Belmont Stakes.You can see the entire message here:The decision continues a recent trend of Kentucky Derby winners skipping the Preakness. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winning horse to skip the Preakness joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022) and Sovereignty last year.And the decision is the latest bit of evidence that the schedule needs to be changed.For years, trainers and analysts alike have argued that the two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was simply too short for the horses. After Sovereignty’s win a year ago Michael Banahan, a member of the ownership team, said this:“He ran really hard today. And especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit. If he responds well, maybe we look at that, you know? But I don’t want to jump in straightaway. We’ll enjoy today. Today was the goal.”And trainer Bill Mott laid the groundwork as well, saying this after Sovereignity won the Kentucky Derby: “We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told reporters. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”After skipping the Preakness, Sovereignty went on to win the Belmont Stakes. Even with a potential Triple Crown off the table, Mott stood by the decision.Now we will see if Golden Tempo can match that feat.And if the schedule gets changed in the future.  #Kentucky #Derby #winner #Golden #Tempo #Preakness

winners skipping the Preakness. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winning horse to skip the Preakness joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022) and Sovereignty last year.

And the decision is the latest bit of evidence that the schedule needs to be changed.

For years, trainers and analysts alike have argued that the two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was simply too short for the horses. After Sovereignty’s win a year ago Michael Banahan, a member of the ownership team, said this:

“He ran really hard today. And especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit. If he responds well, maybe we look at that, you know? But I don’t want to jump in straightaway. We’ll enjoy today. Today was the goal.”

And trainer Bill Mott laid the groundwork as well, saying this after Sovereignity won the Kentucky Derby: “We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told reporters. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”

After skipping the Preakness, Sovereignty went on to win the Belmont Stakes. Even with a potential Triple Crown off the table, Mott stood by the decision.

Now we will see if Golden Tempo can match that feat.

And if the schedule gets changed in the future.

#Kentucky #Derby #winner #Golden #Tempo #Preakness">Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo to miss Preakness

When Golden Tempo took the victory at the Kentucky Derby, the win made history as Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the storied race.

But that history will not extend to the Preakness.

Citing Golden Tempo’s “health,” DeVaux announced on social media that the team will “bypass” the Preakness Stakes. “Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort,” wrote DeVaux on social media. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”

DeVaux indicated that the team is “pointing” Golden Tempo toward the Belmont Stakes.

You can see the entire message here:

The decision continues a recent trend of Kentucky Derby winners skipping the Preakness. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winning horse to skip the Preakness joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022) and Sovereignty last year.

And the decision is the latest bit of evidence that the schedule needs to be changed.

For years, trainers and analysts alike have argued that the two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was simply too short for the horses. After Sovereignty’s win a year ago Michael Banahan, a member of the ownership team, said this:

“He ran really hard today. And especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit. If he responds well, maybe we look at that, you know? But I don’t want to jump in straightaway. We’ll enjoy today. Today was the goal.”

And trainer Bill Mott laid the groundwork as well, saying this after Sovereignity won the Kentucky Derby: “We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott told reporters. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”

After skipping the Preakness, Sovereignty went on to win the Belmont Stakes. Even with a potential Triple Crown off the table, Mott stood by the decision.

Now we will see if Golden Tempo can match that feat.

And if the schedule gets changed in the future.

#Kentucky #Derby #winner #Golden #Tempo #Preakness

Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.

Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.

Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.

PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.

The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.

The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.

ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG here

PSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.

Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.

Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.

Published on May 07, 2026

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal">PSG knock out Bayern to set up Champions League final with Arsenal  Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG herePSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.Published on May 07, 2026  #PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal

Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG here

PSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.

Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.

Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.

Published on May 07, 2026

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal">PSG knock out Bayern to set up Champions League final with Arsenal

Holder Paris Saint-Germain booked its place in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the semifinal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday secured a 6-5 aggregate victory.

Leading 5-4 from last week’s thrilling first leg in Paris, Luis Enrique’s side extended its aggregate advantage early through Ousmane Dembele.

Harry Kane scored in added time for Bayern Munich, but the German side could not find the goal required to force extra time.

PSG will head into the final against Premier League leader Arsenal in Budapest on May 30 after another composed European display. The Allianz Arena also hosted PSG’s maiden Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last year.

The French champion is aiming to become only the second side since 1990 to retain the Champions League title, after Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich was left frustrated by a number of first-half refereeing decisions but struggled to create clear-cut chances for large parts of the contest.

The six-time European champion has now failed to reach the final since beating PSG in the 2020 showpiece in Lisbon.

ALSO READ: Find out what happened during the second-leg semifinal between Bayern and PSG here

PSG doubled its aggregate cushion in just the third minute when Dembele fired Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cut-back into the roof of the net.

Manuel Neuer produced excellent saves in the second half to deny Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue and keep Bayern alive in the tie.

Kane eventually found the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time, drilling home his 14th goal of the competition this season, but it proved too little, too late for the home side.

Published on May 07, 2026

#PSG #knock #Bayern #set #Champions #League #final #Arsenal

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