Florida State’s win over Virginia Tech Thursday provided some clarity in the ACC Atlantic race. All the Seminoles have to do now is beat Maryland next weekend.
The ACC Coastal? It’s about as up for grabs as you can get thanks to Virginia’s 41-40 thriller over Miami on Saturday. To get right down to it, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia Tech can all still claim the division. North Carolina is currently serving a postseason ban for NCAA violations.
Duke (6-4 overall, 3-3 ACC) is off this weekend, but if the Blue Devils win at Georgia Tech (5-5 overall, 4-3 ACC) next weekend, they will play Miami at regular season’s end for the right to go to the ACC championship. Miami (5-5 overall, 4-3 ACC), remember, is still contemplating whether or not to impose a bowl ban this season with the NCAA continuing to investigate the program from the fallout of the Nevin Shapiro scandal. Expect a decision on that once/if Miami becomes bowl eligible. Basically, a lot could change depending on what the Hurricanes decide to do.
If Duke loses to Georgia Tech, well, things get a little more complicated. Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech (4-6 overall, 2-4 ACC) still have shots, although theirs are admittedly longer than Duke’s or Miami’s.
Most of this should be sorted out in the next week. Until then, bask in the possibilities of “what if’s”.