ACC Championship Game scenarios after Week 13: Miami leads the pack while Clemson stumbles
The college football season has entered the final week as the calendar has shifted to Week 14, with the ACC playing strong football over the first 13 weeks of the season. The 17 teams have a combined 108-79 record, including a solid 45-16 mark in non-conference games.
There are three ACC teams ranked in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll, with four other programs among the others receiving votes, meaning that seven of the conference's 17 teams received some recognition from voters.
While the more important College Football Playoff rankings had three ACC teams ranked entering the week, they will not be updated until Tuesday. Multiple teams still have an opportunity to reach the ACC Championship Game.
The No. 9 SMU Mustangs are undefeated in conference play, while two other teams – the No. 8 Miami (FL) Hurricanes and No. 12 Clemson Tigers – have just one conference loss.
Here's a closer look at the conference championship game scenarios for each of those programs.
ACC Championship Game scenarios after Week 13
#1. SMU Mustangs
The No. 9 SMU Mustangs were able to punch their ticket to the ACC Championship Game in Week 13 as they beat the Virginia Cavaliers 33-7. They are now 10-1 and 7-0 in conference play. While they have already secured a spot in the conference title, they will not know their opponent until after Week 14.
#2. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The No. 8 Miami (FL) Hurricanes control their own path to the conference title despite not having a spot clinched. They are 10-1, including a 7-1 record in conference play, with their lone conference loss against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. They will reach the ACC Championship Game if they can go on the road and beat the Syracuse Orange in their regular season finale.
#3. Clemson Tigers
The No. 12 Clemson Tigers have a path to the ACC Championship Game but they will need help. They are 9-2, 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 Hurricanes to lose their final game to play for the ACC title. Due to a Week 13 that was filled with upsets, however, a path to the postseason that doesn't involve winning the conference has opened up for Clemson.