ACC Teams Eye Multiple College Football Playoff Spots in 2025
The ACC is staring down another potentially wild season, with the real possibility of sending multiple teams to the College Football Playoff. Week 10 is here, and the conference has a handful of teams still in the hunt—undefeated Georgia Tech, plus one-loss Miami, Louisville, and Virginia.
How these teams handle their remaining schedules is going to shape everything. There are so many moving parts, and honestly, it feels like anything could happen.
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Georgia Tech: The Undefeated Contender
Georgia Tech is the only ACC team still unbeaten, sitting at 8-0. The Yellow Jackets have Boston College, NC State, and Pitt left before their big regular-season finale against Georgia.
Only Pitt has a winning record among those next three, so on paper, Tech’s got a path. Even if they drop one to Georgia or in the ACC title game, a solid finish should keep them in the playoff mix. But here’s the catch: their strength of schedule is ranked 79th, and the committee suddenly cares a lot more about that stuff.
If they run the table—including beating Georgia—they’re in. No question.
Challenges Ahead for Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech can’t coast, though. That low strength of schedule could haunt them if things get weird late in the season.
- Strength of Schedule: 79th nationally, which isn’t ideal under the new rules.
- Remaining Games: Boston College, NC State, and Pitt—only Pitt is above .500.
- Potential Losses: A stumble against Georgia or in the ACC title game could muddy things up.
Miami: A Strong At-Large Candidate
Miami’s 6-1 and hanging around the playoff conversation. They’ve already knocked off Notre Dame and South Florida, which helps.
Up next: SMU, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Pitt. They’re probably favored in all of them. Even at 10-2, Miami’s got a shot at an at-large bid, but let’s be honest—winning out would make life a lot easier.
Key Factors for Miami
Miami’s fate depends on a few things.
- Remaining Schedule: SMU, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia Tech, Pitt—definitely manageable.
- Previous Wins: Notre Dame and South Florida give them some credibility.
- At-Large Bid Potential: Even at 10-2, they’re in the conversation, but 11-1 would look a lot better.
Louisville: Needing to Win Out
Louisville’s 6-1, but their resume isn’t as shiny. Miami is their only ranked win so far.
They’ve got Virginia Tech, Cal, Clemson, SMU, and Kentucky left. If they win out, they’re in a great spot. Their playoff odds are sitting at 33 percent heading into this week, but that number jumps if they stay perfect.
Louisville’s Path to the Playoffs
Louisville needs a strong finish. No way around it.
- Remaining Games: Virginia Tech, Cal, Clemson, SMU, Kentucky.
- Strength of Schedule: Winning out would do wonders for their case.
- Playoff Odds: 33 percent for now, but that could change quickly.
Virginia: The Long Shot
Virginia’s 7-1 and, honestly, hanging by a thread in the playoff race. Their best win would be at Louisville, and the rest of their regular season doesn’t feature any ranked teams.
To have any real shot, Virginia probably has to win the ACC title. Their schedule just isn’t doing them any favors.
Virginia’s Challenges
Virginia’s got some real obstacles.
- Remaining Schedule: Cal, Wake Forest, Duke, Virginia Tech.
- Strength of Schedule: Not enough ranked opponents to impress the committee.
- Championship Necessity: Winning the ACC might be their only ticket in.
Potential Chaos Scenario
What if all four—Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisville, and Virginia—win out in conference play? That would set up a Georgia Tech vs. Virginia ACC championship, while Miami and Louisville would be sitting at home at 11-1, just waiting for the committee’s call.
Is it likely? Probably not, but it’d be pure chaos and could leave the ACC with four one-loss teams. The committee would have a serious headache sorting that out.
Implications of the Chaos Scenario
If things get messy, here’s what to watch for:
- Georgia Tech vs. Virginia: Winner grabs the conference title and likely a playoff spot.
- Miami and Louisville: Both would be 11-1, hoping the committee likes their resumes.
- Multiple Bids: The ACC could sneak in more than one team, but it’s a toss-up.
Other Contenders: Vanderbilt and SMU
Looking outside the ACC for a second, Vanderbilt and SMU are still lurking. Vanderbilt just beat Missouri, which gave their playoff hopes a little jolt. Their upcoming stretch is brutal: Texas, Auburn, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
SMU, though? Their last-second loss to Wake Forest pretty much tanked their playoff shot.
Vanderbilt’s Playoff Path
Vanderbilt’s chances hinge on what they do next.
- Remaining Schedule: Texas, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee—no easy games there.
- Recent Win: Missouri win helps, but they’ll need more.
- Strength of Schedule: It’s the fourth-toughest in the country, which could be a wildcard in their favor.
SMU’s Diminished Hopes
SMU’s playoff hopes took a nosedive after Wake Forest.
- Recent Loss: That bizarre, last-second defeat really stings.
- Playoff Odds: Down from 20 percent to just 5 percent.
- ACC Title Race: They’re technically alive at 5-3, but an at-large bid seems out of reach now.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff race is getting wild, and the ACC’s right in the thick of it. Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisville, and Virginia—each one has a shot, but honestly, nothing about their paths is simple.
Every week feels like it could flip the script. Who knows what kind of chaos is waiting?
If you want to dig into the numbers and projections, check out The New York Times.
