The excitement is palpable as we head into the final week of the regular season, affectionately known as Rivalry Week. With just one week remaining before the conference championships, teams are scrambling for their chance to secure a coveted spot. This is the time of year when every game counts, and the stakes couldn’t be higher!
ACC Championship Game Scenarios 2024
In the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the 10-1 SMU Mustangs have already secured their place in the conference title game, set to take place in Charlotte next week. Their impressive 33-7 victory over Virginia in Week 13 solidified their position. Remarkably, SMU has not lost a single conference game this season, showcasing the prowess of second-year head coach Rhett Lashlee. What an incredible turnaround for the program!
But who will SMU face in the championship? The answer isn’t straightforward just yet. Two teams are still vying for the second spot: the Miami Hurricanes and the Clemson Tigers. Let’s break down what each of these teams needs to do to earn their shot at the title.
Miami Hurricanes (10-1)
For the Miami Hurricanes, the path to the ACC Championship Game is clear. They can clinch a spot in the ACCCG with a straightforward requirement:
1. A win over Syracuse on the road this Saturday.
The Canes are heading into this matchup as heavy favorites, boasting an 11-point edge over the Orange. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Syracuse, currently at 8-3, only an 18.4-percent chance of pulling off the upset. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal emphasized the importance of staying focused, stating, “Every week you watch somebody focusing on the big picture…our process has been really good, so our guys believe it.”
However, if Miami stumbles and falls to Syracuse, the door swings wide open for Clemson to step in and claim that second spot.
Clemson Tigers (9-2)
Clemson finds itself in a favorable position, but they need a little help. Currently, the Tigers are ahead of Miami in the ACC standings due to having played one more conference game. With both teams set to play this weekend—Miami against Syracuse and Clemson facing in-state rival South Carolina in the SEC—the stakes are high for both squads.
To clinch a spot in the ACCCG, Clemson needs:
1. A Miami loss to Syracuse.
If Miami loses, Clemson’s superior ACC record of 7-1 would secure them the second spot, as Miami would drop to 6-2. It’s worth noting that since Miami and Clemson did not play against each other this season, the ACC’s tiebreaker rules come into play, which measure win percentage against common conference opponents.
Current ACC Standings
Let’s take a closer look at the current ACC standings to understand the implications of this weekend’s matchups:
|
Team |
Overall Record |
ACC Record |
Points For (PF) |
Points Against (PA) |
|
SMU* |
10-1 |
7-0 |
432 |
231 |
|
Clemson |
9-2 |
7-1 |
414 |
242 |
|
Miami |
10-1 |
6-1 |
414 |
242 |
*Clinched spot in ACCCG
As we can see, the paths for both Clemson and Miami are quite straightforward. Miami simply needs to win against Syracuse to secure their place in the title game. On the other hand, Clemson, who will not be playing an ACC opponent this weekend, is rooting for a Miami loss to clinch their spot. Even if the Tigers fall to South Carolina, their chances for the ACC title game remain intact.
So, what will happen this weekend? Will Miami hold strong and secure their spot, or will Clemson get the opportunity they need? The drama of Rivalry Week is upon us, and it promises to deliver thrilling moments and heart-stopping action as teams fight for their postseason dreams. Buckle up, college football fans—this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!
