Who will make the ACC championship game on December 7? With just three weeks left in the regular season, the race is heating up, featuring five teams in serious contention. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the outcomes that will shape the championship landscape at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
ACC contenders’ path to the championship game
Let’s break down the paths for each contender as they vie for a spot in the coveted championship game.
SMU (8-1, 5-0 ACC)
Remaining schedule: vs. Boston College, at Virginia, vs. Cal
The Mustangs are in the driver’s seat, controlling their own destiny. If they can secure a victory against Boston College this Saturday, they will eliminate the eight ACC teams with three losses in conference play. With head-to-head wins against both Pitt and Louisville, SMU has the clearest path to the ACC championship game. Winning their remaining three games will ensure their spot.
Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC)
Remaining schedule: at Pitt, vs. The Citadel, vs. South Carolina
The Tigers face a critical matchup against Pitt this week, which could serve as a near-elimination game for both teams. Clemson’s journey is complicated as they do not face SMU or Miami this season, and their head-to-head loss against Louisville puts them in a precarious position. To stay in contention, they need Miami to stumble in their remaining games.
Miami (9-1, 5-1 ACC)
Remaining schedule: vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse
The Hurricanes have a significant advantage with a head-to-head victory over Louisville. They also avoid facing Clemson or SMU, which could prove beneficial. If Miami and Clemson both finish with a 7-1 record in ACC play, the tie-breaker will hinge on their performances against common opponents like Virginia Tech and Louisville. Currently, Miami holds a 3-0 record against these teams, while Clemson is 3-1.
Louisville (6-3, 4-2 ACC)
Remaining schedule: vs. Stanford, at Pitt, at Kentucky
Louisville’s chances are slim, and they could be eliminated if Clemson defeats Pitt and both SMU and Miami win one more game. Despite their head-to-head victory against Clemson, losses to SMU and Miami weigh heavily on their prospects.
Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC)
Remaining schedule: vs. Clemson, at Louisville, vs. Boston College
The Panthers are still in the mix, but they face challenges, including a head-to-head loss against SMU and a second conference loss to Virginia. If Pitt can secure victories against Clemson and Louisville, they could force a three-way tie with Miami and Clemson. However, a loss to the Tigers would end their hopes for the ACC championship.
ACC football standings 2024
As it stands, the ACC has five teams with two losses or fewer in conference play. Here’s a snapshot of the current standings:
| SCHOOL | ACC | OVERALL | PF | PA |
| SMU | 5-0 | 8-1 | 361 | 196 |
| Clemson | 6-1 | 7-2 | 339 | 208 |
| Miami | 5-1 | 9-1 | 450 | 231 |
| Louisville | 4-2 | 6-3 | 326 | 218 |
| Pitt | 3-2 | 7-2 | 330 | 226 |
Most likely ACC championship game scenario
Looking ahead, SMU appears poised to finish at least 7-1 in conference play, especially with two of their remaining games at home. But what if they stumble? If SMU, Clemson, and Miami all end up at 7-1, the tie-breaker will come down to their performances against common opponents like Florida State and Louisville. Both SMU and Miami have fared well against these teams, while Clemson has struggled.
Clemson needs to hope for a slip-up from either SMU or Miami to remain in contention. However, if we had to make a prediction, it’s likely that SMU will win out, setting up a thrilling matchup against Miami, who is also expected to secure victories in their final games.
ACC tie-breaker rules
Understanding the tie-breaker procedures is crucial as the season winds down. Here’s how the ACC determines who makes it to the championship game:
Two-team tie
1. Head-to-head competition between teams
2. Winning percentage vs. common opponents
3. Win percentage vs. common opponents based on finish
4. Combined winning percentage of conference opponents
5. Higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics
6. A draw administered by the Commissioner or designee
Three teams or more
1. Combined head-to-head win percentage among the tied teams
2. If not all teams are common opponents, the tied team that defeated each of the other tied teams will advance
3. Win percentage versus all common opponents
4. Win percentage versus common opponents based on their order of finish
5. Combined win percentage of conference opponents
6. The highest ranking by the Team Rating Score metric
7. A draw administered by the Commissioner or designee
As the regular season draws to a close, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the outcomes that will determine who gets to compete for the ACC championship title. The excitement is building, and it’s anyone’s game!
