Duke’s ACC Championship Stunner Upends College Football Playoff Picture

Unranked Duke pulled off a seismic upset on Saturday night. They defeated No. 17 Virginia 27-20 in overtime to win the ACC Championship. The game was held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. This result has thrown the race for the final College Football Playoff spots into chaos.

The Blue Devils were massive underdogs heading into the contest. Their victory denied Virginia its first conference title in decades. According to ESPN, the win marks a historic turnaround for Duke’s program under coach Manny Diaz.

A Miraculous Finish for the Blue Devils

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah found Jeremiah Hasley for a one-yard touchdown on fourth down in overtime. That clutch play gave the Blue Devils the lead. The defense then sealed the win with a game-ending interception.

Virginia seemed to have the game locked up late in the fourth quarter. They held a 20-10 lead with just over five minutes remaining. Duke then engineered a dramatic 96-yard drive to tie the score with 22 seconds left.

The victory completed an unlikely run for Duke. They entered the ACC tournament as the fifth seed. The team then won three straight games to claim the championship trophy.

Virginia’s Season Ends in Crushing Disappointment

For Virginia, the loss is a devastating conclusion to a stellar season. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 10-2 record. They were the clear favorites to win the conference and secure a playoff berth.

Coach Tony Elliott’s team dominated ACC play all year. Their potent offense was held in check during the critical final moments. This loss will likely relegate them to a non-playoff bowl game.

The Cavaliers had beaten Duke convincingly just three weeks prior. That fact makes this championship loss even more bitter for the program and its fans. It is a sudden, harsh end to a promising campaign.

Immediate Fallout for the Playoff Selection Committee

Duke’s surprise victory creates a major dilemma for the selection committee. The Blue Devils now have an 8-5 overall record. Five losses historically makes a playoff bid extremely difficult for any team.

The committee must decide if a conference championship outweighs a team’s total losses. This decision will impact several other schools on the playoff bubble. Teams like No. 12 Miami are now hoping for an at-large invitation.

Analysts from The Athletic suggest the ACC may now be left out of the playoff entirely. This would be a shocking outcome for a Power 4 conference. The final rankings will be revealed on Sunday afternoon.

Duke’s ACC championship win has fundamentally reshaped the postseason landscape. The playoff picture now features more uncertainty than ever before. The selection committee’s final decision will be scrutinized for years to come.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Why is Duke’s win considered such a big upset?

Duke was unranked and had four more losses than Virginia this season. They were significant underdogs playing against the conference’s top seed. Winning the title from that position is extremely rare.

Q2: Does Duke have a chance to make the College Football Playoff?

Their chances are considered very slim due to their five losses. The committee typically prioritizes teams with stronger overall records. However, as an automatic qualifier conference champion, they cannot be completely ruled out.

Q3: What does this loss mean for Virginia’s season?

It transforms a fantastic year into a major disappointment. Instead of a probable playoff spot, they will head to a secondary bowl game. The season will be remembered for the championship that slipped away.

Q4: Who were the key players in Duke’s victory?

Quarterback Darian Mensah led the crucial overtime touchdown drive. Receiver Jeremiah Hasley caught the game-winning score. The defense made the final stop to secure the championship.

Q5: How does this affect other conferences?

It potentially opens a playoff spot for a team from another league. Conferences like the Big 12 or Group of 5 may now see a path for their champion. The ripple effect will be significant.