Duke has won the ACC championship and thrown the College Football Playoff picture into chaos. Its coach believes the Blue Devils should be in the bracket.

By beating Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 6, Duke has opened up the final automatic bid. Typically, it would make sense for the ACC champion to automatically be in, but the Blue Devils present an unusual case. They are 8-5 and weren’t ranked in any poll, including the College Football Playoff rankings, coming into conference championship week.

However, No. 19 James Madison was in the CFP rankings at No. 25 and won the Sun Belt. Therefore, it looks like the Dukes would get in given the criteria for the field is the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams. 

Regardless, Duke coach Manny Diaz spent his postgame interview vouching for his team to be in the playoff, seemingly claiming James Madison doesn’t have a resume like the Blue Devils.

‘They don’t have wins like this. They don’t have a win against a team like that. That’s a big-time team right there in Virginia,’ Diaz said on the ESPN broadcast. ‘Seven wins in this conference, seven Power Four wins compared to zero. That’s a playoff team. Darian Mensah may be the best damn quarterback in the country. These guys deserve to be in.’

While James Madison doesn’t have any Power Four wins, with its lone loss coming against Louisville, the Dukes also went 12-1 on the season, and two of Duke’s five losses came against Group of Five teams in Tulane and Connecticut.

The Blue Devils will have to wait for the playoff reveal show at Noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7 to see if they will be able to play for a national championship.

The NCAA Division I volleyball tournament’s second round concluded on Saturday.

No. 1 seeds Nebraska, Texas, Pitt and Kentucky advanced to the Sweet 16.

Cal Poly defeated No. 4 seed USC in the second round of the tournament play on Friday, the biggest upset of the tournament thus far.

The 2025 NCAA volleyball Final Four will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the third time since 2010 that the venue, formerly known as the Sprint Center, has hosted the volleyball national championship.

What time is NCAA volleyball tournament?

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
• Start time: Eight matches, beginning at 6 p.m. ET Saturday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

• Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. All first- and second-round games can be found streaming on ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Watch the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament live with Fubo (free trial)

Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates, scores and schedule for the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament:

Saturday’s NCAA women’s volleyball tournament

Stanford 3, Arizona 1

The Cardinal advance, 25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20.

SMU 3, Florida 0

The Mustangs win the first match 25-11, 25-21, 26-24.

Texas A&M 3, TCU 1

The Aggies won 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27 in the closest match of the game.

Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0

The Huskers are now 32-0 after the sweep, 25-17, 25-21, 25-16.

Minnesota 3, Iowa State 0

The Gophers eliminate the Cyclones 25-22, 25-21, 25-14.

Texas 3, Penn State 0

Texas eliminates defending champion Penn State, 25-16, 25-9, 25-19.

Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0

No. 1 seed Pitt won 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 to eliminate Michigan.

Louisville 3, Marquette 2

Louisville staved off an upset 21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12.

NCAA volleyball second-round matchups, game times

The second round concludes Saturday Dec. 6.

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 UNI 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

• No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
• No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
• No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
• No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
• No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
• No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
• No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
• Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

• No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
• No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
• No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
• North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
• Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
• Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
• No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
• No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
• Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 1 Nebraska 3, LIU 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
• Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
• No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
• No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
• No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
• Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

NCAA volleyball tournament rounds

• Second round: Dec. 6
• Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
• Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
• National championship: 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 21

All games on ESPN Unlimited, ESPN, ABC

NCAA volleyball games Friday

Cal Poly 3, USC 2

Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Final: Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1

No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Final: Arizona State 3, Utah State 1

No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)

Final: Nebraska 3, Long Island University 0

No. 1 Nebraska swept Long Island University 25-11, 25-15, 25-17

Final: No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0

No. 3 Wisconsin swept North Carolina 25-14, 25-21, 27-25

Final: No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 UNI 1

No. 3 Creighton defeated No. 6 UNI 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21

Final: No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0

No. 4 Minnesota swept Fairfield 25-12, 25-7, 25-13

Final: Texas 3, Florida A&M

No. 1 Texas swept Florida A&M (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)

Final: Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1

Arizona defeated No. 7 South Dakota State 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15

Final: Kentucky 3, UCLA 1

No. 1 Kentucky defeated No. 8 UCLA 30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17

Final: Kansas 3, Miami 1

No. 4 Kansas defeated No. 5 Miami (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)

Final: Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0

Texas A&M swept Campbell 25-20, 25-10, 25-13

Final: SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0

No. 2 SMU swept Central Arkansas 25-13, 25-13, 25-13

Final: Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1

No. 3 Purdue defeated No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)

Final: No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0

No. 4 Indiana swept No. 5 Colorado (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)

Final: Kansas State 3, San Diego 2

Kansas State defeated No. 8 San Diego 21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12

Final: Pitt 3, UMBC 0

No. 1 Pitt swept UMBC 25-10, 25-17, 25-13

Final: Penn State 3, South Florida 1

No. 8 Penn State defeated South Florida 25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19

No. 8 Penn State took the first set 25-23, while South Florida took the second set 25-12. The defending champions won the third set 25-21 and the fourth 25-19 to win, 3-1.

Final: Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2

No. 5 Iowa State defeated St. Thomas-Minnesota 21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8

St. Thomas took the first set 25-21, while Iowa State took the second, 25-13, and third, 25-16. St. Thomas forced a decisive fifth set by taking the fourth 25-21, but Iowa State closed it out 15-8 in the fifth.

Final: Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0

No. 2 Louisville swept Loyola Chicago 25-17, 25-9, 25-12.

Final: TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0

No. 6 TCU swept Stephen F. Austin 25-8, 26-24, 25-20.

Final: Florida 3, Rice 0

Florida swept No. 7 Rice 27-25, 25-23, 25-19.

Final: Michigan 3, Xavier 0

Michigan swept No. 8 Xavier 25-19, 25-15, 25-23

Final: Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0

Marquette swept No. 7 Western Kentucky 25-22, 25-21, 25-16.

NCAA volleyball games Thursday

Final: USC 3, Princeton 0

No. 3 seed USC swept Princeton 25-19, 25-12, 25-13

Final: Kentucky 3, Wofford 0

No. 1 Kentucky swept Wofford 25-11, 25-19, 25-12

Final: Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0

No. 2 Arizona State swept Coppin State 25-11, 25-14, 25-12

Final: Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0

No. 3 Wisconsin swept Eastern Illinois 25-11, 25-6, 25-19

Final: Purdue 3, Wright State 0

No. 3 Purdue swept Wright State 25-13, 25-21, 25-19

Final: Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2

No. 3 Creighton swept Northern Colorado 12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15

Final: Kansas 3, High Point 0

No. 4 Kansas swept High Point 25-20, 25-15, 25-18

Final: Cal Poly 3, BYU 2

Cal Poly defeated No. 5 BYU 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10

Final: Utah State 3, Tennessee 2

Utah State defeated No. 7 Tennessee 25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11

Final: North Carolina 3, UTEP 1

North Carolina downed No. 6 UTEP 24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21

Final: Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2

No. 6 Northern Iowa defeated Utah 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10

Final: UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2

No. 8 UCLA defeated Georgia Tech 24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10

Final: Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2

No. 6 Baylor defeated Arkansas State 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10

Final: Miami 3, Tulsa 1

No. 5 Miami defeated Tulsa 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20

Final: Indiana 3, Toledo 0

No. 4 Indiana swept Toledo 25-18, 25-15, 25-17

Final: Colorado 3, American University 0

Colorado eliminated American 25-16, 25-19, 25-16

NCAA volleyball tournament automatic qualifiers

Here’s a look at the 31 teams that earned automatic berths to the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament by virtue of winning their conferences:

• ACC: Stanford
• American: Tulsa
• American East: UMBC
• Atlantic Sun: Central Arkansas
• Atlantic 10: Loyola Chicago
• Big East: Creighton
• Big Sky: Northern Colorado
• Big South: High Point
• Big Ten: Nebraska
• Big 12: Arizona State
• Big West: Cal Poly
• CAA: Campbell
• Conference USA: Western Kentucky
• Horizon: Wright State
• Ivy: Princeton
• MAAC: Fairfield
• MAC: Toledo
• MEAC: Coppin State
• Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
• Mountain West: Utah State
• NEC: LIU
• Ohio Valley: Eastern Illinois
• Patriot: American
• SEC: Kentucky
• SoCon: Wofford
• Southland: Stephen F. Austin
• SWAC: Florida A&M
• Summit: St. Thomas
• Sun Belt: Arkansas State
• WAC: Utah Valley
• WCC: San Diego

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

• Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be followed three days later by the national championship game on Sunday, Dec. 21.

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

• 2024: Penn State
• 2023: Texas
• 2022: Texas
• 2021: Wisconsin
• 2020: Kentucky
• 2019: Stanford
• 2018: Stanford
• 2017: Nebraska
• 2016: Stanford
• 2015: Nebraska

For the full list of champions, click here.

A Power Four conference champion was determined Saturday night — even though the winner of the game may not earn a College Football Playoff berth.

The 2025 ACC football season wrapped up on Saturday, Dec. 6 with Duke outlasting No. 16 Virginia (No. 17 CFP) 27-20 in overtime at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to win the ACC Championship game for the first time in program history.

Watch the ACC championship game on Fubo (free trial)

The win improves the Blue Devils to 8-5, though it’s unlikely they’ll be able to leapfrog No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 CFP) in the playoff selection committee rankings. Duke was unranked in last week’s committee rankings. Because of that, the ACC could be shut out of the playoff, with No. 13 Miami (No. 12 CFP), as a potential at-large participant, standing as its best hope to make the field.

The Cavaliers had been one of the best stories in college football this season and will finish the regular season with a 10-3 record after going just 11-23 in their previous three seasons under coach Tony Elliott. It’s Virginia’s first 10-win season since 1989.

Duke was in the ACC Championship game despite finishing just 7-5 in the regular season. A 6-2 record in conference play, however, sent it to Charlotte after a convoluted series of tiebreakers notably left out Miami.

Duke led 20-10 with four minutes remaining, but Virginia mounted a furious comeback to tie the game on an 18-yard Chandler Morris touchdown pass to Eli Wood with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In overtime, the Blue Devils got a touchdown pass from Darian Mensah on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and intercepted Morris on the first play of the Cavaliers’ ensuing possession to end the game.

USA TODAY brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Here are the highlights:

Virginia vs Duke score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Virginia vs Duke updates

FINAL: Duke 27, Virginia 20

Virginia INT ends game, gives Duke ACC championship

After a roughing-the-passer penalty pushed Virginia back to the 40-yard line to start its drive. The Cavaliers went with some trickery on their first play, with Chandler Morris ending up with the ball and firing the ball to Eli Wood. Duke linebacker Luke Mergott, however, steps in to intercept the pass and end the game. It’s Mergott’s first career interception.

Duke has won the ACC championship.

Duke gets TD on first drive of OT

Duke has little trouble moving it up the field, getting a first-and-goal at the Virginia 1-yard line before the Cavaliers hold firm, stopping the Blue Devils on three straight plays. Manny Diaz opts to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1, with Darian Mensah rolling out and finding Jeremiah Hasley in the end zone.

Duke is now four for four on the day on fourth down.

End of fourth quarter: Duke 20, Virginia 20

After a short kickoff return, Duke opts to take a knee and send the game to overtime. Virginia wins the toss and decides to play defense first.

Of note, the Cavaliers have won three overtime games this season, so they’ve got plenty of experience with this situation, albeit not with these kinds of stakes.

Virginia ties game on Chandler Morris TD pass

Virginia’s furious comeback has us on the brink of overtime. The Cavaliers go 96 yards in 10 plays and just 1:22, with a Chandler Morris 18-yard touchdown pass to Eli Wood serving as the exclamation point. The extra point is good and we’re tied, 20-20, with 22 seconds left. Wood stepped out of bounds, but it was determined that he was forced out by the Duke defensive back and he re-established himself on the field before hauling in the catch.

Duke does have two timeouts left, though it’s fair to wonder whether the Blue Devils want to be too aggressive and not risk a turnover.

Virginia forces Duke punt, will have chance to tie

It all comes down to one drive.

Virginia’s defense stands tall, stuffing Duke on back-to-back plays from the Blue Devils’ 48-yard line. The second of those stops, a Nate Sheppard 2-yard run on third-and-8 ended with Sheppard going out of bounds, stopping the clock with 1:51 remaining and allowing the Cavaliers to hold on to their two timeouts.

Virginia takes over at its own 4-yard line after a 46-yard punt and will have 1:44 to try to mount a game-tying drive, along with two timeouts.

Virginia FG makes it a one-score game

It’s not quite over yet in Charlotte. Thanks in large part to a 25-yard pass from Chandler Morris to Cam Ross, Virginia goes 50 yards in eight plays, with Will Bettridge finishing it off with a 42-yard field goal.

Duke’s lead is down to seven, 20-13, with 3:54 left. After the kickoff, the Blue Devils take over at their own 25-yard line. The Cavaliers still have all three of their timeouts, as well as the two-minute timeout.

Duke FG extends lead over Virginia to 10

Duke capitalizes on the short field, getting a 23-yard Todd Pelino field goal to push its lead over Virginia to 10, 20-10, with 5:02 left.

The Blue Devils very nearly got seven points instead of three, with Darian Mensah connecting with Cooper Barkate for a 30-yard pickup to the Cavaliers’ 3-yard line. They’re not able to get any closer to the end zone, though, and ultimately settle for a field goal. But with a two-possession lead with five minutes left, Duke’s chances of a conference title just got that much better.

Chandler Morris INT gives Duke ball in Virginia territory

Duke makes good on pinning Virginia deep. On a third-and-9 from his team’s own 2-yard line, Chandler Morris tosses it deep, but there isn’t a receiver in the area and Blue Devils safety Caleb Weaver makes a diving catch to pick it off at the Cavaliers’ 33-yard line. Looked to be a potential miscommunication between Morris and his receiver.

With 7:21 remaining, Duke has the chance to burn some clock and, more importantly, stretch its lead to two possessions.

Duke punts, pins Virginia deep

The Blue Devils aren’t able to get past the Virginia 47-yard line, with a Darian Mensah pass on third-and-6 getting batted down before it could get to Cooper Barkate. A 47-yard punt from Kade Reynoldson is downed at the Virginia 1, where the Cavaliers will take over with 8:46 remaining.

Duke stops Virginia on fourth down, takes over

A huge play from a Duke defense that’s been uncharacteristically strong most of the night, with Chandler Morris sailing a pass high to Trell Harris in the end zone as Harris was covered by a pair of Duke defensive backs on fourth-and-5 from the Blue Devils’ 24-yard line.

Duke will take over at its own 24-yard line with 14:24 left in the game.

Third quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Virginia will start the fourth quarter with a third-and-9 at the Duke 28-yard line.

Duke pushes lead back to seven with FG

Duke stretches its lead back to seven with a field goal of its own, with Todd Pelino knocking through a 27-yard field goal after a six-play, 63-yard drive. Much of that yardage came on a 38-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Cooper Barkate that got the Blue Devils down to the Virginia 15-yard line after a face mask penalty was tacked on to the reception.

Duke had been set to go for a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 7, but a false start penalty knocked the Blue Devils back five yards. Manny Diaz opts for the sure three points, giving his team a 17-10 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Virginia cuts into Duke lead with FG

The Cavaliers get all the way down to the Blue Devils’ 2-yard line on their opening drive of the second half, but Duke’s defense stands tall from there, dropping Virginia for a 5-yard loss and then forcing Chandler Morris into an incompletion.

Still, the Cavaliers cap off a 17-play drive with a 24-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to get within four, 14-10, with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7

Duke holds a 14-7 lead over Virginia at halftime. The Blue Devils have a 170-115 advantage in total yards, with the Cavaliers running only 23 plays and Duke leading the time of possession battle 20:29-9:31.

Virginia is set to receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Duke punts

Duke goes three-and-out and punts away to Virginia, which will take over at its 30-yard line with 1:43 left.

Virginia punts

For the first time tonight, we have a punt. A Chandler Morris pass on third-and-9 from the Virginia 48-yard line falls incomplete and the Cavaliers opt to punt. The ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback, giving Duke the ball at its own 20 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.

Nate Sheppard TD run puts Duke back ahead of Virginia

Duke has another lengthy touchdown drive, this one going 75 plays in 13 plays in 8:02. It’s punctuated by a 16-yard Nate Sheppard touchdown run to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 lead with 6:14 left in the first half.

Duke yet again comes up with big plays with it needed them, converting on two fourth downs on the drive, one of which came on a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. It’s the Blue Devils’ third-consecutive game with a special teams fake for a first down.

Chandler Morris TD pass ties Virginia with Duke

Darian Mensah’s interception proves to be costly, turning what could have been a 14-point lead into a tie ballgame.

On a first-and-10 from the Duke 11-yard line, Chandler Morris dumps it off to running back J’Mari Taylor, who cuts and plows through the Blue Devils’ defense for a touchdown, tying the game after the extra point with 14:16 left in the first half.

End of first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0

Virginia has a second-and-1 at the Duke 14-yard line once the second quarter begins.

Darian Mensah INT gives Virginia ball back

Shortly after Duke benefits from a momentum swing, the Blue Devils give the ball right back. On a second-and-14 from the Duke 24-yard line, two plays after Virginia’s missed field goal, Darian Mensah throws an interception right to Cavaliers safety Corey Costner, who returns it to the Duke 23-yard line with 47 seconds left in the quarter.

Virginia misses FG

The Cavaliers have a nice response to Duke’s opening touchdown drive, getting as far as the Blue Devils’ 20-yard line. From there, though, they’re dropped for a 2-yard loss on a rushing attempt, Chandler Morris is brought down for a sack on third down and Will Bettridge misses a 45-yard field goal wide left.

Duke will take over at its own 28 with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Duke scores TD on first drive

After days of jokes about how it made the conference championship game, Duke showed on its first drive that it just might belong on this stage. The Blue Devils go 75 yards in 15 plays and 9:38, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah to Jeremiah Hasley.

It’s the longest opening drive by plays and time of possession in ACC Championship game history.

There were several instances on the possession that it seemed like Duke might not get any points, let alone seven. The Blue Devils faced four third-downs, converting three of them, and went for it on a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 41-yard line.

Pregame

How did Duke get into the ACC championship game?

Despite going 7-5 in the regular season, which included losses to Tulane and UConn, Duke finds itself 60 minutes away from a conference title. How, exactly, did the Blue Devils get there?

Even with its subpar overall mark, coach Manny Diaz’s team went 6-2 in conference play, putting it in a five-way tie for second place in the conference standings behind Virginia. Duke ended up getting the edge over the four other teams because of the ACC’s sixth tiebreaker: conference opponent record. Duke’s ACC opponents had a combined win percentage of .500, while Miami and Georgia Tech came in behind them at .438.

Virginia football injury updates

Here’s a look at the injury situation for Virginia heading into its ACC championship matchup against Duke, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

Out

• CB #1 Dre Walker
• WR #2 Andre Greene Jr.
• LB #5 Kam Robinson
• DB #7 Ja’Maric Morris
• CB #9 Jam Jackson
• TE #9 Dakota Twitty
• QB #19 Grady Brosterhous
• RB #20 Xavier Brown
• RB #28 Noah Vaughn
• S #38 Armstrong Jones
• OL #54 Makilan Thomas
• DL #56 Tyler Simmons
• OL #56 Tyshawn Wyatt
• OL #71 Monroe Mills
• WR #80 Trevor Ladd

Game-time decision

• WR #6 Cam Ross
• WR #8 Jayden Thomas
• OL #52 McKale Boley

Ross is the Hoos’ third-leading wide receiver this season, with 459 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Duke football injury updates

Here’s a look at the players who will be out for Duke in Saturday’s ACC championship game against Virginia, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

• S #1 Terry Moore
• CB #5 Kimari Robinson
• DE #14 Bryce Davis
• LB #24 Bradley Gompers
• LB #31 Elliott Schaper
• LB #36 Nick Morris Jr.
• OL #52 Micah Sahakian
• OL #73 Evan Scott
• OL #78 Nathan Kutufaris

ACC championship game odds

Virginia is favored by -3.5 over Duke in the ACC championship game, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.

Who is calling the ACC championship game?

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be airing on ABC, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) on the call while Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor report from the sideline.

What time does Virginia vs Duke start?

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Bank of American Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)

Virginia vs Duke will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What TV channel is Virginia vs Duke on today?

• TV channel: ABC
• Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Virginia vs Duke predictions

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Sports: Duke 27, Virginia 24

The Blue Devils were handled by the Cavaliers in their regular-season matchup, but Virginia, for all of its success, has been inconsistent this season. With a better effort from quarterback Mensah this time around, Duke earns a tight win and potentially shuts the ACC out of the playoff.

Virginia football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Virginia’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Saturday, Aug. 30: Virginia 48, Coastal Carolina 7
• Saturday, Sept. 6: NC State 35, Virginia 31
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Virginia 55, Williams & Mary 16
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Virginia 48, Stanford 20 *
• Friday, Sept. 26: Virginia 46, Florida State 38 (2OT) *
• Saturday, Oct. 4: Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) *
• Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Virginia 22, Washington State 20
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Virginia 17, North Carolina 16 (OT) *
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Virginia 31, Cal 21 *
• Saturday, Nov. 8: Wake Forest 16, Virginia 9 *
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
• Saturday, Nov. 22: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Virginia 27, Virginia Tech 7 *
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Duke football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Duke’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Thursday, Aug. 28: Duke 45, Elon 17
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Illinois 45, Duke 19
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Tulane 34, Duke 27
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Duke 45, NC State 33 *
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Duke 38, Syracuse 3 *
• Saturday, Oct. 4: Duke 45, Cal 21 *
• Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18 *
• Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Duke 46, Clemson 45 *
• Saturday, Nov. 8: UConn 37, Duke 34
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
• Saturday, Nov. 22: Duke 32, North Carolina 25 *
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Duke 49, Wake Forest 32 *
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Kennesaw State is one of the feel-good stories of the 2025 college football season. And the story got even better Friday night. Behind first-yer coach Jerry Mack the Owls had already made a seven-win jump this season. On Friday, they added a Conference USA Championship game win in just the program’s second year in FBS.

‘A team that was 2-10, to turn it around and win 10 football games in one year. What a difference a year makes,’ Mack said postgame. ‘Who does that? Where I’m from, they say, ‘Where you at?”

A goal-line stand. A kicker forcing a fumble. A safety. A last-minute touchdown to win.

The CUSA Championship game had a little bit of everything — except some big-time offense. Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State entered Friday’s game averaging a combined 59 points per game. We didn’t get anywhere close to that, in Kennesaw State’s 19-15 win in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Kennesaw State (10-3) bottled up Jax State running back Cam Cook, the nation’s leading rusher. But Gamecocks’ QB Caden Creel hurt the Owls with his legs, rushing for 112 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown with 4:40 in the fourth quarter to give Jax State (8-5) its first lead.

But then KSU QB Amari Odom engineered a game-winning drive that included a 4^th-and-14 conversion and a 26-yard completion on 3^rd-and-27 that set up another 4^th-down conversion. With 50 seconds left, Odom hit Navelle Dean in the end zone for a touchdown  and the 19-15 win.

Here’s how it happened.

Kennesaw State vs Jax State football score

FINAL: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville 15

0:51 4Q: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville State 15

Kennesaw State gets into Jax State territory on its final drive and on 4th-and-14, KSU decides to go for it instead of attempting a 54-yard field goal potential tying field goal… and QB Amari Odom is flushed to his left and gets a massive first down pickup. Plus an unnecessary roughness, late hit penalty.

Odom then hits Navelle Dean for an 11-yard TOUCHDOWN. Really bold call from Jerry Mack on that 4th-and-14. Tip of the cap, sir.

2:00 4Q: Jacksonville State 15, Kennesaw State 12

Amari Odom hits Christian Moss down the middle on 3rd-and-27. He got 26 yards. 4th-and-1 when we come back from 2-minute timeout. Drama.

4:04 4Q: Jacksonville State 15, Kennesaw State 12

Caden Creel’s legs continue to drive Jax State forward. On 4th-and-2 at midfield, Creel runs for seven yards to keep drive alive. And then he breaks loose for a 19-yard touchdown run and the Gamecocks’ first lead of the game. Looks like Jax State got away with a false start on the touchdown play, no call.

On the 2-point conversion to take a three-point lead, Creel hits 6-8 receiver Deondre Johnson in the corner of the end zone. Smart. He’s tall. And makes a great grab.

8:20 4Q: Kennesaw State 12, Jacksonville State 7

Not a great sequence for Kennesaw State. Coleman Bennett loses two yards on first down. Then a 3-yard pass is followed up by a sack and loss of nine yards. Punt back to Jax State. Momentum is swinging.

10:20 4Q: Kennesaw State 12, Jacksonville State 7

TOUCHDOWN! Jax State’s best offense hasn’t been the nation’s leading rusher, but the legs of quarterback Caden Creel. Creel has 84 yards on 12 carries, but Cam Cook finally finds some room and walks into the end zone with a 1-yard score. Gamecocks turn the fumble into points. Needed that.

12:24 4Q: Kennesaw State 12, Jacksonville State 0

Oh my! On the free kick after the safety, Jax State kicker Garrett Rippa makes a big play, forcing a fumble on the return. Kennesaw State’s Davis Bryson had a good return going before the kicker came up with the goods. The ball was jarred loose on the hit, popped into the air and recovered by the Gamecocks. Just the break they needed.

12:33 4Q: Kennesaw State 12, Jacksonville State 0

SAFETY. Marcus Patterson tackles Cam Cook in the end zone for two points for the Owls. So the gamble to go on fourth down doesn’t come back to bite Kennesaw State. Cook, the nation’s leading rusher, has 35 yards on 14 carries.

12:40 4Q: Kennesaw State 10, Jacksonville State 0

Amari Odom tries a QB sneak on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line and gets stuffed. Play is under review to see if he was pushed into the end zone before his forward progress was stopped. A massive play. If he’s in, KSU takes a three-score lead. But review upholds the call, short. It stays a two-score game. Jacksonville State ball in shadow of their own end zone.

End 3Q: Kennesaw State 10, Jacksonville State 0

Owls will begin the fourth quarter in Jax State territory and looking for a knockout blow.

4:31 3Q: Kennesaw State 10, Jacksonville State 0

A missed field goal from 35 yards out for Jax State. Gamecocks still scoreless. Worth a reminder: JSU is Conference USA’s top scoring offense (30.2 ppg).

9:57 3Q: Kennesaw State 10, Jacksonville State 0

Britton Williams hits a field goal from 38 yards out to extend the Owls’ lead. Amari Odom and Coleman Bennett did much of the heavy lifting on the first drive of the second half.

15:00 3Q: Kennesaw State 7, Jacksonville State 0

KSU WR Gabriel Benyard didn’t come out for the second half. He took a brutal hit late in the first half that drew a targeting call. His is the Owls’ leading receiver on the season.

HALFTIME: Kennesaw State 7, Jacksonville State 0

A scary hit from Trevor Woods, who lays out defenseless Kennesaw State receiver Gabriel Benyard and gets called for targeting. Just a brutal hit. Woods is ejected for the hit.

With time winding out in the half, KSU QB Amari Odom is called for intentional grounding with comes with a 10-second runoff and the half is over.

An unexpected defensive battle.

6:49 2Q: Kennesaw State 7, Jacksonville State 0

Jax State QB Caden Creel scrambles for 34 yards on 3rd-and-25 and gets the Gamecocks in business. But on 4th-and-1 from the KSU 9-yard line, Cam Cook is stopped for a four-yard loss. Turnover on downs.

13:03 2Q: Kennesaw State 7, Jacksonville State 0

Coleman Bennett punches it in from three yards out to break the deadlock. An 11-play, 80-yard drive led by Amari Odom gives us our first points of the night.

End 1Q: Jacksonville State 0, Kennesaw State 0

Owls are driving into JSU territory, will have a 2nd-and-9 from the Gamecocks’ 35-yard line.

2:36 1Q: Jacksonville State 0, Kennesaw State 0

INTERCEPTION! A 10-play, 61-yard drive ends with a pick in the end zone. JSU QB Caden Creel is intercepted by Milon Jones.

7:47 1Q: Jacksonville State 0, Kennesaw State 0

We’re trading punts. That’s two punts for each team. It’s a slow burn tonight in Jacksonville.

11:17 1Q: Jacksonville State 0, Kennesaw State 0

Owls pick up a first down before the Gamecocks tighten up and force a punt.

13:42 1Q: Jacksonville State 0, Kennesaw State 0

We’re underway, and the Owls force a three-and-out to get us started.

What time does Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State football start?

• Date: Friday, Dec. 5
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Where: AmFirst Stadium (Jacksonville, Alabama)

Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 5 from AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.

What TV channel is Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State on today?

• TV channel: CBS Sports Network
• Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The C-USA championship game between Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries CBSSN and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Conference USA Championship game predictions

• Kennesaw State 31, Jacksonville State 27: Although Jacksonville State got the better of the Owls in their first matchup, Jerry Mack has shown his mettle this season. Kennesaw State is able to get the upper hand in this one with Amari Odom bouncing back from his three-interception outing in the first go-round. Protecting the ball gives the Owls the edge, and they avenge their one conference loss this season and cap off a monumental turnaround. — Kevin Skiver
• Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 27: Despite losing coach Rich Rodriguez to West Virginia, Jacksonville State rolls to its second straight Conference USA championship behind a three-touchdown performance from running back Cam Cook to run his season total to 18. — Ehsan Kassim
• Kennesaw State 35, Jacksonville State 30: This one feels like a toss-up, but I’ll side with Kennesaw State getting its revenge against Jacksonville State and winning its first Conference USA title in just its second year as a member of the Division I FBS level. To do that, though, the Owls will need to be able to contain Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook, who ran for 132 rushing yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. — John Leuzzi

Conference USA Championship game betting odds

• Moneyline: Kennesaw State (-145)
• Spread: Kennesaw State (-2.5)
• Over/under: 60.5

Kennesaw State football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Kennesaw State’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Friday, Aug. 29: Wake Forest 10, Kennesaw State 9
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Indiana 56, Kennesaw State 9
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Kennesaw State 27, Merrimack 13
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Kennesaw State 28, Arkansas State 21
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Kennesaw State 24, Middle Tennessee 16*
• BYE
• Thursday, Oct. 9: Kennesaw State 35, Louisiana Tech 7*
• BYE
• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Kennesaw State 45, FIU 26*
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: Kennesaw State 33, UTEP 20*
• Saturday, Nov. 8: Kennesaw State 24, New Mexico State 21*
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 26
• Saturday, Nov. 22: Kennesaw State 41, Montana State 34
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Kennesaw State 48, Liberty 42 (OT)*
• Friday, Dec. 5: Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State | CBS Sports Network**
• * – denotes Conference-USA game
• ** – denotes Conference-USA championship game

Jacksonville State football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Jacksonville State’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

• Thursday, Aug. 28: UCF 17, Jacksonville State 10
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Jacksonville State 34, Liberty 24*
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Georgia Southern 41, Jacksonville State 34
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Jacksonville State 45, Murray State 10
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Southern Miss 42, Jacksonville State 25
• BYE
• Thursday, Oct. 9: Jacksonville State 29, Sam Houston 27*
• Wednesday, Oct. 15: Jacksonville State 38, Delaware 25*
• BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 8: Jacksonville State 30, UTEP 27*
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 26*
• Saturday, Nov. 22: FIU 27, Jacksonville State 21*
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Jacksonville State 37, Western Kentucky 34*
• Friday, Dec. 5: Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State | CBS Sports Network**
• * – denotes Conference-USA game
• ** – denotes Conference-USA championship game

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Tulane took down North Texas with ease in the American Conference championship game on Friday, Dec. 5 — and made program history in the process.

The No. 21 Green Wave (No. 20 in College Football Playoff rankings) defeated the No. 20 Mean Green (No. 24 CFP) 34-21 at home. The win puts Tulane in strong position to earn its first CFP appearance in program history.

The Green Wave rushed for 199 yards and three scores on 52 carries as a team. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff passed for 145 yards and rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Perhaps more impressively is the fact Tulane held star North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker in check, with the redshirt freshman completing 21 of 34 passes for 294 yards with two touchdowns to three interceptions. The Green Wave forced five turnovers, including a pick-6 by Chris Rodgers in the third quarter.

The question now is whether Tulane can leverage that win to reach the CFP with its conference championship win? Here’s a look at the Green Wave’s chances:

Tulane football rankings: Can Green Wave make CFP?

Tulane put itself in strong position to earn one of the five conference championship bids in the 12-team CFP bracket on Dec. 5.

North Texas and Tulane entered the matchup as the two highest-ranked non-Power Four teams in the CFP rankings, with No. 25 James Madison behind the two American programs. With Tulane picking up a ranked win in the American title game, it should have no issues staying ahead of the Dukes in the rankings.

James Madison could still make the CFP, although it likely needs Duke to beat Virginia in the ACC championship game. If JMU stays ranked higher than the Blue Devils, then two non-Power Four teams would make the CFP as the final two highest-ranked conference champions.

North Texas vs. Tulane was essentially a CFP play-in game, with the Green Wave likely moving on to compete for a national championship as the No. 11 or 12 seed.

Tulane football schedule 2025

• Saturday, Aug. 30: Tulane 23, Northwestern 3
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Tulane 33, South Alabama 31
• Saturday, Sept. 13: Tulane 34, Duke 27
• Saturday, Sept. 20: Mississippi 45, Tulane 10
• Saturday, Sept. 27: Tulane 31, Tulsa 14 *
• Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
• Thursday, Oct. 9: Tulane 26, East Carolina 19 *
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Tulane 24, Army 17 *
• Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
• Thursday, Oct. 30: UTSA 48, Tulane 26 *
• Friday, Nov. 7: Tulane 38, Memphis 32 *
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Tulane 35, Florida Atlantic 24 *
• Saturday, Nov. 22: Tulane 37, Temple 13 *
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Tulane 27, Charlotte 0 *
• Friday, Dec. 5: Tulane vs North Texas | ABC, 8 p.m. **

* indicates American Conference game

** indicates American Conference championship

Miami and Notre Dame are both 10-2.

So why have the Fighting Irish consistently been above the Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff rankings?

Good question. One we haven’t really gotten a good answer from the CFP committee yet. Other than ‘eye test’ and ‘good losses.’

And who knows? Maybe both get left out of the CFP.

Despite lopsided wins the past two weeks, Notre Dame dropped to No. 10 in last week’s CFP rankings. Miami remained at No. 12, but because of the ACC’s wacky tiebreaker system, Duke (7-5) has a chance to play for the ACC championship Saturday, while Miami has to sit and wait until Sunday’s Selection Show at noon.

If BYU (No. 11 in the CFP) beats Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship game, it likely spells doom for the remaining at-large hopefuls. No. 9 Alabama could also grab a guaranteed CFP spot with a win over Georgia in the SEC Championship game. A lopsided Alabama loss may crack the door open for the Irish or Hurricanes.

It’ll be a nervy Sunday in South Bend and South Beach.

Making case for Notre Dame football in CFP

‘Cause for concern? Cautious optimism? Maybe both,’ writes South Bend Tribune columnist Tom Noie.

‘Welcome to Notre Dame’s uncertain future. Like that, what many figured was a lock ― Notre Dame one of the 12 teams to earn invitations to the 2025 College Football Playoff ― suddenly isn’t. There’s a chance Notre Dame might be left out… The committee likes Notre Dame. It’s always liked Notre Dame. You get the sense that it wants Notre Dame in the field.

‘We think Notre Dame deserves to be in the 12-team field. We think that Notre Dame is a handful of teams ― maybe no more than five ― with a legitimate chance to win a national championship. Notre Dame started 0-2, but Notre Dame got better. The defense went from dubious that night in South Florida to borderline dominant. Jeremiyah Love became the nation’s best running back. 

‘(Marcus) Freeman and his staff and his team believe they’re one of the 12 best teams in the country. They’re optimistic ― cautiously so in public, adamant in private ― that the selection committee will say the same. Even with that 0-2 start, Notre Dame got better, got confident and got rolling. It didn’t cling to what happened in Week 1. It went out and made it happen in Weeks 3 to 12.’

Notre Dame’s losses are considered ‘good losses’: to Texas A&M (No. 7 in CFP) and Miami. But if we’re giving credit to Notre Dame for losing to Miami, why aren’t we giving credit to Miami for beating Notre Dame?

Just weird.

Making a case for Miami in CFP

‘Putting Miami behind Notre Dame is the committee’s first head scratcher. Not a good look, or precedent. Not when the two have the same record (10-2) and a head-to-head result: Miami, 27-24,’ writes Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post.

‘Miami’s spot is more reflective of being the only team in the top 15 to lose twice to unranked teams (then and now) and beat two teams in the ACC with a winning record.’

The Hurricanes have won the past four games by an average score of 38-10, but can’t shake losses to Louisville and SMU in a three-week span before that.

The big albatross on Alabama’s resume is the season-opening 14-point loss to Florida State. Miami beat FSU, 28-22.

While Miami ranks highly in a lot of advanced metrics (ESPN has them No. 7 in FPI and No. 6 in its Game Control measurement), it sits at 14th in strength of resumé behind other bubble teams including BYU, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas and Notre Dame. The Hurricanes are also 44th in strength of schedule, close behind the No. 42 Irish but significantly farther behind fellow two-loss teams in Vandy (22), OU (12), Bama (11) and Texas (8).

But Notre Dame owns no wins against top-15 opponents. It feasted on a schedule that included last-place teams from three of the Power Four conferences.

“You get to settle it on the field, where head-to-head is always the No. 1 criteria,” Miami’s Mario Cristobal said.

Apparently not.

Palm Beach Post sports reporter David Rorabaugh contributed to this story.

Anthony Davis went to the ground and was clutching his left knee after a play in the third quarter of the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The apparent injury occurred as Davis tightly defended Thunder big man Chet Holmgren. Davis did get up under his own power and walked to the bench, but he repeatedly grabbed at the knee and he did not play the final six-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter.

The Prime Video broadcast showed Davis on the bench with his knee heavily wrapped.

Davis did return for the start of the fourth quarter, perhaps a bit of a surprise given the Mavericks were down by 30 points after three – but seeing him back on the court was certainly a welcome sign for Dallas.

The 10-time All-Star has struggled with a litany of injuries since being traded to the Mavericks, and he was having a tough game before the injury. He did not score in his first 20 minutes, going 0-for-6 from the field and missing both his free throws.

Davis finally did make a basket in the fourth quarter but that was it. He had two points on 1-for-9 shooting with eight rebounds and six assists. He played 24 minutes. Afterward, he told reporters he was ‘fine.’

Could there be two Group of Five programs in the College Football Playoff this year?

At the start of the season, it seemed a crazy thought: But it’s also one close to playing out with the CFP field now at 12 teams and No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 in College Football Playoff rankings) doing its part by winning its first Sun Belt Conference championship game.

Knight also recorded the longest rush and longest touchdown score in the Sun Belt championship game with a 73-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of James Madison’s fourth drive of the night in the second quarter.

So, what’s now standing in the Dukes’ way of playing for a national championship?

Here’s what to know about whether James Madison can make the College Football Playoff, including what its path to the CFP looks like:

Can James Madison make College Football Playoff?

There’s a path for James Madison to make the College Football Playoff, but the Dukes need help.

They entered Week 15 needing two things to go in their favor to create the possibility of making the CFP, which historically has been dominated by Power Four conference programs. James Madison did its part with a win over Troy in the Sun Belt championship.

Now, the Dukes await to see whether they can get the help they need: a Duke win over No. 17 Virginia (No. 17 in College Football Playoff rankings) in the ACC championship game.

If the Blue Devils win the ACC, James Madison’s chances of getting into the CFP increase: A Blue Devils win would knock the Cavaliers from being one of the five highest-ranked conference champions, creating the possibility the Dukes could instead take their place.

That’s how James Madison could steal one of the other reserved for the highest-ranked conference champions, as it likely will be ranked behind another Group of Five conference champion — either No. 20 Tulane or No. 24 North Texas, of the American Conference — in the final bracket.

All told, James Madison’s CFP hopes are entirely dependent on whether Duke can win the ACC championship. Of course, there also is the possibility that the selection committee would jump Duke, unranked in the penultimate top 25 rankings, ahead of James Madison.

James Madison football ranking: Where are Dukes ranked in CFP top 25?

James Madison broke into the CFP top 25 rankings at No. 25 in the CFP selection committee’s penultimate rankings release on Tuesday, Dec. 2. It was the first time this season that the committee has included the Dukes in the rankings.

James Madison football schedule

Here’s a look at James Madison’s schedule in 2025:

• Saturday, Aug. 30: James Madison 45, Weber State 10
• Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
• Friday, Sept. 13: BYE
• Saturday, Sept. 20: James Madison 31, Liberty 13
• Saturday, Sept. 27: James Madison 35, Georgia Southern 10*
• Saturday, Oct. 4: James Madison 14, Georgia State 7*
• Saturday, Oct. 11: James Madison 24, Louisiana 14*
• Saturday, Oct. 18: James Madison 63, Old Dominion 27*
• Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: James Madison 52, Texas State 20*
• Saturday, Nov. 8: James Madison 35, Marshall 23*
• Saturday, Nov. 15: James Madison 58,Appalachian State 10*
• Saturday, Nov. 22: James Madison 24,Washington State 20
• Saturday, Nov. 29: James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina 10*
• Friday, Dec. 5: James Madison 31, Troy 14 **

* Denotes Sun Belt game

** Denotes Sun Belt championship game

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