You’ve got tiebreakers, head-to-heads and piles of teams with various credentials – none of whom look like the kind of squads you’d expect in a game like the Orange Bowl.
The ACC football conference is a mess right now. It needs some clarification. Time to break down each team’s chances to reach the conference title game.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
MARYLAND
We’ll start at home. The Terps are looking like the kind of team – oh wait, no one knows what these Terps are looking like. One of the most erratic squads in the country has proven one thing for certain – they win at home. They control their own destiny at this point with a home game against Florida State and a road matchup at Boston College remaining. If they win both, they’re Atlantic Division champs. If they win one, they win the division still IF Wake Forest can take care of B.C. in Winston-Salem, N.C., this weekend. If not, they’re headed to a mid-level bowl game for sure.
BOSTON COLLEGE
Similarly, the Eagles control their own destiny. But this team that keeps beating teams unexpectedly after flying through a weak nonconference schedule unbeaten can’t win the division if they lose either of their two remaining games. So it’s simple: win at Wake Forest and beat Maryland at home, and you’re in. Otherwise, try again next time.
WAKE FOREST and FLORIDA STATE
After everyone realized Clemson was a flop, the Atlantic Division was expected to come down to these two teams. But Riley Skinner hasn’t met expectations for the Demon Deacons, and Florida State blew a prime opportunity by losing at home to B.C. Now, Wake’s hoping to beat Boston College and then have B.C. knock off Maryland. Florida State’s hoping to beat Maryland and have B.C. beat Wake, then have Maryland beat B.C. See, it’s so simple … right?
COASTAL DIVISON
Where things are 100x more complicated
MIAMI
The Hurricanes are in the driver’s seat – win out and go to Tampa. The issue, then, becomes if they don’t do that in their games against Georgia Tech and N.C. State. If the Canes win and North Carolina loses this weekend, they’re in regardless of next weekend. If it comes down to a three-team tiebreaker after Miami beats GT but loses to N.C. State, the Hurricanes will also win the division based on their strong 4-1 divisional record and head-to-head win against Virginia Tech. If they lose to Georgia Tech and beat N.C. State and end up in a three-way tie, Miami will have to hope Virginia is that third team (along with the Yellow Jackets, who would have a 5-3 record if they beat Miami). If it’s Virginia Tech or North Carolina, it’s no dice for the Hurricanes. And if you thought that was confusing…
VIRGINIA TECH
Despite one of the most awkward quarterback situations in recent memory, the Hokies are still the second-most likely team to take the Coastal Division. They need to win out and have Miami lose to Georgia Tech, and then they’re golden.
VIRGINIA
Perhaps Virginia has the toughest road, but it might be the easiest to explain. Virginia must beat Clemson and Virginia Tech and have Miami lose twice.
NORTH CAROLINA
Once a favorite, the Tar Heels are not sitting pretty. They win the division if they win their remaining two games against Duke and N.C. State (which they should, in both cases). They also need Miami, Virginia AND Virginia Tech to lose at least once, each. Have fun with that.
GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech can’t afford any three-way tiebreakers. They’ll need Virginia, Virginia Tech and North Carolina to all lose while they beat Miami. But remember, Virginia and Virginia Tech do play each other. So, maybe?
DUKE
Well, if you’re still confused, Terp fans, take solace that the Blue Devils aren’t going anywhere near Tampa. With that, I bid adieu.
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