The ACC's fate in the College Football Playoff hangs in the balance, with a potential 'doomsday scenario' looming. Josh Pate outlines a complex situation where the ACC could miss out on the playoff entirely, and it all comes down to the performance of a few key teams. With just a few weeks left in the season, the race for the conference champion is wide open, and Pate highlights Duke's potential to throw the ACC race into chaos. If Duke goes 9-4 with a 7-1 record in league play and wins the conference title, it could keep the ACC out of the playoff, depending on how the Group of 6 race unfolds. But it's not just Duke's performance that matters. The presence of USF, James Madison, and Tulane adds further complexity. If any of these teams run the table, they could potentially be ranked higher than Duke, leaving the ACC champion out in the cold. The situation is even more uncertain with Miami in the mix. The Hurricanes are currently ranked 15th in the playoff rankings, but a loss to Pitt could further add uncertainty to the race. With two Group of 6 teams potentially making it into the bracket, the ACC could be entirely left out. Pate emphasizes the potential anger and frustration of fans if this happens, comparing it to the chaos of Selection Sunday. The ACC's fate in the playoff is far from certain, and it all comes down to the performance of a few key teams in the final weeks of the season.
