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Miami can clinch first ACC title game berth since 2017 with win and a little help

Miami could secure a ticket to Charlotte as early as this Saturday.
ByPatrick Previty
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Nov 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs (8) carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs (8) carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Miami's loss to Notre Dame might have complicated its College Football Playoff outlook, but the Hurricanes remain in control of their ACC championship aspirations. No. 7 Miami could secure its first conference title game appearance in nine years as early as Saturday, provided a few other results fall its way.

Miami can clinch a berth in the Dec. 5 championship game with three results:

  1. Miami defeats Duke.
  2. North Carolina defeats Louisville.
  3. Either Wake Forest defeats SMU or Georgia Tech defeats Clemson.

How the Canes can clinch a spot in the ACC championship game

First and foremost, Miami needs to take care of business against Duke. But as that game is taking place, No. 13 Wake Forest (8-1, 5-1 ACC) visits SMU (7-2, 5-2) at noon on ESPN.

The Demon Deacons have won six consecutive games since losing to Miami 33-20 on Sept. 18, while the Mustangs have won all six of their home games this season. And 30 minutes later, Georgia Tech (2-7, 1-5) visits Clemson (6-3, 4-2) on The CW.

The Yellow Jackets have lost four straight games, but Miami needs only one of those two afternoon games to break its way.

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The final piece of the puzzle would come later on Saturday night when Louisville (6-3, 5-2) visits North Carolina (5-4, 2-3) at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

The Cardinals have won four consecutive games and North Carolina, which lost 38-35 to Miami on Halloween, could now help the Hurricanes secure their championship game berth with a victory over Louisville.

Miami controls its destiny to Charlotte

The good news for Cristobal is that Miami doesn't actually need help from anyone. Winning two of its final three games would guarantee the Hurricanes a championship game appearance, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

All three remaining games are at Hard Rock Stadium, beginning with Duke on Saturday, followed by Virginia Tech on Nov. 21 and Boston College on Nov. 28.

The stakes extend beyond an ACC championship

Miami has appeared in the ACC Championship Game just once, losing 38-3 to Clemson in 2017, and the Hurricanes have never won the conference since joining in 2004.

The ACC announced Monday that its Dec. 5 championship game will be its final annual conference championship game, ahead of the College Football Playoff's expansion to 24 teams beginning in 2027.

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