ACC Championship Game scenarios after Week 12: Can Miami win the conference title in 2024?
The college football season has entered the final stretch as the calendar has shifted to Week 13, with the ACC playing strong football over the first 12 weeks of the season. The 17 teams have a combined 98-72 record, including a solid 43-17 mark in non-conference games.
There are three ACC teams ranked in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll, with five other programs among the others receiving votes, meaning that eight of the conference's 16 teams received some recognition from voters.
While the more important College Football Playoff rankings had four ACC teams ranked entering the week, they will not be updated until Tuesday. There are multiple teams who still have an opportunity to reach the ACC Championship Game.
The No. 13-ranked SMU Mustangs are undefeated in conference play, while two other teams - the No. 11-ranked Miami (FL) Hurricanes and No. 17-ranked Clemson Tigers - have just one conference loss.
Take a look at the conference championship game scenarios for each of those programs below.
ACC Championship Game scenarios after Week 12
#1 SMU Mustangs
The No. 13-ranked SMU Mustangs control their own path to the ACC Championship Game. They are 9-1 and 6-0 in conference play. If they beat the Virginia Cavaliers and California Golden Bears over their final two games, they will play for the conference title.
#2 Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The No. 11-ranked Miami (FL) Hurricanes also control their own path to the conference title despite losing their last game before a Week 12 bye.
They are 9-1, including 5-1 in conference play, with their lone conference loss against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. They will reach the ACC Championship Game if they beat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Syracuse Orange over the final two weeks.
#3 Clemson Tigers
The No. 17-ranked Clemson Tigers have a path to the ACC Championship Game but they will need help.
They are 8-2, and 7-1 in conference play, with their lone ACC loss coming to the Louisville Cardinals. Clemson has completed their conference schedule and would not own the tiebreaker over the SMU Mustangs or Miami (FL) Hurricanes.
The Tigers need the Mustangs to lose both their final games or the Hurricanes to lose at least one to play for a conference title. SMU's opponents have a combined 4-8 conference record, while Miami's remaining opponents are a combined 7-6.