ACC Power Rankings After a Wild Final Weekend: Virginia-Duke Title Game Caps Off Classic Chaos
The ACC never fails to deliver drama down the stretch, and this season’s finale was no exception. With postseason hopes and playoff dreams hanging in the balance, the final weekend of conference play threw us one last curveball.
The result? A conference championship game between No.
18 Virginia (10-2) and Duke (7-5) in Charlotte-just like everyone predicted back in August… right?
This is peak ACC chaos. Virginia’s loss to NC State was ruled a non-conference game, which helped pave the way for the Cavaliers to clinch a title game berth.
Duke, meanwhile, needed a little help around the league-and got it. Now, the Blue Devils get a second shot at a Virginia team that already beat them by two scores earlier this season.
Let’s break down where every team stands heading into the postseason, with plenty of intrigue still to come.
1. Miami (10-2)
This week: Open
What to know:
Miami’s regular season is in the books, and now the ‘Canes are in wait-and-see mode. At 10-2, they’ve done enough to stay in the playoff conversation, but their fate is now in the hands of the selection committee.
The question is whether the résumé will be enough when the dust settles.
2. Virginia (10-2)
Last week: 3
This week: vs.
Duke (ACC Championship Game)
What to know:
Virginia is 60 minutes away from making serious noise in the College Football Playoff picture-or joining the list of strong ACC champions left on the outside looking in. The Cavaliers have handled their business, and despite that loss to NC State (which didn’t count in the league standings), they’ve earned their spot in Charlotte.
Win here, and the playoff committee will have a tough decision to make.
3. Pitt (8-4)
This week: Open
What to know:
The Panthers closed out the season strong, but the biggest question now surrounds quarterback Mason Heintschel. Is he staying?
Is he going? His decision could reshape Pitt’s trajectory heading into 2026.
4. Georgia Tech (9-3)
This week: Open
What to know:
Georgia Tech looked like a playoff sleeper a month ago. Then came three losses in four games, and now the conversation has shifted to Brent Key’s future.
The Jackets still posted a solid season, but the late stumble leaves a sour taste.
5. Duke (7-5)
Last week: 9
This week: vs.
Virginia (ACC Championship Game)
What to know:
Say this for Duke-they’re resilient. A 7-5 team in the ACC title game isn’t something you see every year, but the Blue Devils took advantage of the chaos and now have a shot at revenge against Virginia.
They’ll need a much better showing than the last time these two met, when the Cavaliers won by two scores.
6. Louisville (8-4)
Last week: 6
This week: Open
What to know:
There’s no better way to end a regular season than with a 41-0 win over your biggest rival.
Louisville fans will be talking about that one all offseason. The Cards finish with eight wins and a lot to build on heading into bowl season.
7. Cal (7-5)
Last week: 7
This week: Open
What to know:
Cal didn’t have a head coach, but they had a plan-and it worked.
Their upset win over SMU was one of the most impactful results of the weekend, shaking up the ACC title picture and proving this team still had plenty of fight left.
8. SMU (8-4)
Last week: 5
This week: Open
What to know:
For the second straight year, a missed field goal haunted SMU at the worst possible time.
This one didn’t just sting-it slammed the door on any lingering playoff hopes. A tough way to end what was otherwise a strong season.
9. Wake Forest (8-4)
Last week: 8
This week: Open
What to know:
Jake Dickert’s squad was one of the pleasant surprises in the ACC this year.
Wake Forest heads into bowl season with eight wins, and that’s a big win for a program that’s been quietly building something solid.
10. NC State (7-5)
This week: Open
What to know:
The Wolfpack didn’t just beat UNC-they dominated. And while their win over Virginia didn’t count in the ACC standings, it still played spoiler in a big way.
Now, they’ve got an offseason trip to Brazil to look forward to. Not a bad way to cap off the year.
11. Clemson (7-5)
Last week: 11
This week: Open
What to know:
It’s been four playoff misses in the last five years for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers.
But after a 1-3 start, they salvaged the season with a win over South Carolina to reach seven wins. Not where they want to be-but better than it could’ve been.
12. Florida State (5-7)
Last week: 12
This week: Open
What to know:
The Seminoles’ season ended with Jadan Baugh running wild-266 yards and two touchdowns, the second-most rushing yards in Gator history.
FSU finishes below .500 and out of the postseason. Time to reset.
13. North Carolina (4-8)
Last week: 13
This week: Open
What to know:
It’s been a strange year in Chapel Hill, to say the least.
The Bill Belichick experiment has been unpredictable, and now the question becomes: does it continue into 2026?
14. Virginia Tech (3-9)
Last week: 15
This week: Open
What to know:
James Franklin has his work cut out for him in Blacksburg.
A 3-9 finish isn’t what Hokies fans were hoping for, but a promising recruiting class could be the first step toward a turnaround.
15. Stanford (4-8)
Last week: 16
This week: Open
What to know:
Stanford made a big move by hiring Tavita Pritchard, a former Cardinal quarterback and assistant, to lead the program.
It’s the first major decision under Andrew Luck’s leadership-and a clear signal they’re looking to restore the program’s identity.
16. Syracuse (3-9)
Last week: 14
This week: Open
What to know:
In a battle of the bottom, Syracuse came up short against Boston College.
A 3-9 finish leaves plenty of questions heading into the offseason.
17. Boston College (2-10)
Last week: 17
This week: Open
What to know:
Start the season with a win, end the season with a win.
Everything in between? Not so great.
But at least the Eagles found a way to finish on a high note.
Final Thoughts:
The ACC has always been a conference that thrives on unpredictability, and this season was no different.
Virginia and Duke battling for the title wasn’t on anyone’s preseason radar, but here we are. With bowl season around the corner and playoff decisions looming, the storylines are far from over.
Buckle up.