With the regular season winding down, there is plenty of drama left. Miami is the highest ranked ACC team by the CFP. Ranked No. 13. While Georgia Tech is at 16, in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings.
The Hurricanes remain the highest-ranked ACC team and their strong non-conference resume still carries weight nationally, but their two conference losses limit how far they can climb. Their presence near the top of the rankings helps the league’s overall profile, yet it also highlights the broader issue for the ACC this season: there’s no dominant, nationally feared team.
Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee brought up an interesting scenario on his recent ESPN show.
"They brought it up on the show last night..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 12, 2025
There's a minute possibility that Miami could make it as an at large and the ACC Champion could be left at home" ~ @StanfordSteve82 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/TNKsKKrn7Q
That’s where Georgia Tech’s situation becomes complicated. The Yellow Jackets still control their own destiny, but the ACC isn’t viewed as particularly strong this year and Georgia Tech’s schedule hasn’t carried much national respect.
Add in the fact that their defense has taken a clear step back in recent weeks, giving up big numbers in back-to-back games against a 5–5 NC State team and then again after a bye week to 1–10 Boston College, and it becomes harder for the committee to see this group as a playoff-caliber defense. Even with Haynes King and an explosive offense, the defensive inconsistency keeps Georgia Tech from looking like a complete team.
Still, everything changes if they beat Georgia. A win over the No. 4 Bulldogs would immediately elevate the resume, erase most strength-of-schedule concerns, and overshadow the defensive warts. Realistically, if Georgia Tech finishes as a one-loss ACC champion with a victory over Georgia, it would be extremely difficult for the playoff committee to leave them out. Unless something goes very wrong in at Mercedes Benz stadium vs the Bulldogs
Haynes King would be great for television ratings if the Yellow Jackets make the playoffs. He is their only chance of being comepetitive as well. The defense would make it difficult for Brent Key's team to win a playoff game.