ACC Championship Showdown: Duke vs. No. 16 Virginia in a CFP-Bound Game

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In a season full of surprises, the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game has turned into a thrilling showdown between Duke and No. 16 Virginia. The Blue Devils, who have overcome steep odds to reach the title game, will face off against the Cavaliers in Charlotte on Saturday night. The ACC Championship Game has taken on a new level of significance, with the winner potentially earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. If Virginia emerges victorious, they'll almost certainly secure a playoff spot. However, a win by the unranked Blue Devils could open up the possibility of the ACC being left out of the 12-team CFP. The scenario is complex, with multiple paths to the playoffs. A win by Virginia could lead to Miami, the conference's top-ranked team, being left out. Alternatively, both Virginia and Miami could make it to the playoffs, or both could be shut out. Duke, who has been a dark horse in the ACC, has capitalized on Clemson's struggles. The Tigers, who have dominated the conference for a decade, stumbled out of the gates and never recovered. The Blue Devils, picked to finish sixth in the conference, have earned a trip to the title game despite five losses. Virginia, on the other hand, has made significant strides under coach Tony Elliott. The Cavaliers won their first outright regular-season championship in school history and have been led by star running back J'Mari Taylor, who is looking for his second-straight 1,000-yard season. The two teams have a history, with Virginia thumping Duke 34-17 just three weeks ago. However, Duke coach Manny Diaz is confident that his team can bounce back and make a statement. "We have five losses, and we wish we'd played better in those games," Diaz said. "But we lost to two 10-win teams, two nine-win teams, and an eight-win team. Records have a lot to do with schedules.