In a heart-stopping finish that left fans on the edge of their seats, officials upheld a game-winning touchdown for Cal, shattering SMU's dreams of an ACC title game appearance. But here's where it gets controversial... Was Kendrick Raphael really across the goal line? The call, initially questionable, stood after review, gifting Cal a 38-35 lead with just 42 seconds left. SMU, undeterred, marched down the field, setting up a potential game-tying 52-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining. Kicker Sam Keltner’s attempt, however, fell short, sealing Cal’s upset victory and sparking debates about what could have been for the Mustangs.
This dramatic turn of events paved the way for No. 18 Virginia (10-2, 7-1) and Duke (7-5, 6-2) to face off in the ACC Championship Game next Saturday night. And this is the part most people miss... This isn’t just any rematch—it’s a chance for both teams to make history. Virginia, fresh off a dominant 34-17 win over Duke on November 15, is eyeing its first-ever College Football Playoff berth. Duke, meanwhile, is looking to defy the odds and secure its own improbable playoff spot.
In their previous meeting, Virginia’s quarterback Chandler Morris dismantled Duke’s defense, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Running back J’Mari Taylor also shone, rushing for 133 yards and two scores. Duke head coach Manny Diaz didn’t mince words after the loss: “We were thoroughly outclassed in every category. Their quarterback was outstanding, and we had one of our poorest performances of the season.”
Virginia’s path to the championship hasn’t been without drama. Despite holding a commanding 31-3 lead in their earlier matchup, Duke’s late surge made the final score closer than the game actually was. Virginia outgained Duke 540-255 and recorded 11 more first downs, showcasing their dominance. A second victory over the Blue Devils would cement Virginia’s place in college football history and vindicate head coach Tony Elliott, who faced scrutiny after last season’s 5-7 record.
Duke’s season, on the other hand, has been a wild ride. After opening with a win over Elon, they stumbled with back-to-back losses to then-No. 11 Illinois and Tulane. They rebounded to win six of eight ACC games but suffered a surprising 37-34 loss to UConn on November 8. While that defeat didn’t derail their ACC Championship hopes, it certainly complicates their playoff resume.
Here’s the real question: Can Duke pull off the upset in Charlotte and secure a playoff spot? It’s a long shot, especially with Group of Five contenders like North Texas (11-1), Tulane (10-2), and James Madison (11-1) lurking in the rankings. But in a season full of surprises, anything is possible.
What do you think? Is Virginia a lock for the playoff, or can Duke rewrite the script? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
