ACC Tiebreaker Scenarios: Paths for Virginia, SMU, Pitt, Miami to Title Game
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings are approaching a defining moment as the regular season nears its conclusion. Several teams are vying for a coveted spot in the ACC Championship Game, which will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on December 6. Currently, six teams maintain a chance to qualify: Virginia, SMU, Pitt, Miami, Georgia Tech, and Duke.
ACC Title Contenders and Their Paths
As the final week of the regular season approaches, the tiebreaker scenarios become increasingly important. Here’s a breakdown of each contender’s route to the championship:
Virginia (9-2, 6-1 in ACC)
- Win against Virginia Tech OR
- Pitt loses to Miami
Virginia’s path is straightforward. A victory against Virginia Tech guarantees their spot in the championship. However, if they stumble, they can still qualify if Pitt falls to Miami.
SMU (8-3, 6-1 in ACC)
- Win against California OR
- Pitt loses to Miami
Similar to Virginia, SMU needs only to win their matchup against California to secure a chance at the title. If they lose, they require a Miami victory over Pitt to stay in contention.
Pitt (8-3, 6-1 in ACC)
- Defeat Miami AND
- Either SMU loses to California or Virginia loses to Virginia Tech
Pitt aims to return to the championship after last winning in 2021. To do so, they must first defeat Miami, then hope for either an SMU loss or a Virginia defeat.
Georgia Tech (9-2, 6-2 in ACC)
- Virginia loses to Virginia Tech AND
- SMU loses to California
Georgia Tech’s chances hinge on both Virginia and SMU losing. Despite their recent defeat to Pitt, they remain in the hunt.
Miami (9-2, 5-2 in ACC)
- Win against Pitt AND
- (Duke loses to Wake Forest OR SMU loses to California OR Virginia loses to Virginia Tech)
Even with two losses this season, Miami still has a complex route. A victory over Pitt is essential, along with favorable outcomes in other games.
Duke (6-5, 5-2 in ACC)
- Win against Wake Forest AND
- (Pitt losing to Miami OR SMU losing to California)
Duke finds itself in a unique position. With five overall losses, they still have a chance if they can win against Wake Forest and receive assistance from other games.
Understanding ACC Tiebreaker Rules
In the event of a tie in the ACC standings, the following tiebreaker scenarios will be applied:
Two-Team Tie
- Head-to-head competition
- Win-percentage against common opponents
- Combined win-percentage of conference opponents
- Random draw if necessary
Three (or More) Team Tie
- Combined head-to-head win-percentage among the tied teams
- If not all common opponents, the tied team that defeated the others progresses
- Win-percentage against common opponents remains a factor
- Random draw may occur if needed
As anticipation builds, Week 14 promises to be pivotal in determining which teams will secure a place in the ACC Championship Game. Each team’s destiny is not just in their hands but also influenced by the outcomes of their rivals.
