From the theACC.com on Bowl Selection
ACC Champion – Not In Top Four CFP Ranking
If the ACC Champion is not in the top four of the final CFP rankings, it will appear in the Capital One Orange Bowl against the highest ranked available team from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame following team selection by the Rose (Big Ten) and Sugar (SEC) Bowls.
Capital One Orange Bowl
The Capital One Orange Bowl will host the ACC Champion (or highest ranked ACC team not ranked in the top four against the highest ranked available team from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame following team selection by the Rose (Big Ten) and Sugar (SEC) bowls.
Virginia (8-3, 5-2)
So we’re set up for the most important highest stakes Commonwealth Cup in recent history – maybe ever? Can one of their fans tell me if there has been a bigger one? Virginia Tech will try to extend their winning streak to 16 games and wins in 20 of the last 21 years. The winner wins the Coastal Division title, and a matchup with Clemson in the ACC Title Game. It’s virtually assured the winner of this game will be ranked, and I doubt even a loss to Clemson drops the loser more than 1 spot. That’s means the Orange Bowl is assured if Virginia or Virginia Tech doesn’t defeat Clemson.
Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2)
Virginia Tech is playing some of the best defensive football in the country the last few weeks. Bud Foster’s defense has thrown back to back to shutouts and the Hokies have scored 106 straight unanswered points in ACC play. They are already ranked in the AP and USA Today polls, and should be ranked in the CFP poll this week. It’s hard to believe where the Hokies are now after their dreadful start to the season.
Wake Forest (8-3, 4-3)
I include Wake Forest in the event they finish 9-3 (5-3), and get ranked. I suppose it’s theoretically possible they can reach the Orange Bowl, but I can’t really envision a scenario where they are taken over Virginia or Virginia Tech. It’s still been a great season for the Deacs.
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2 pings
Hokie Mark says:
November 24, 2019 at 8:56 pm (UTC -4)
Just a minor point, but the ACC Coastal champ is also guaranteed the Orange Bowl if they defeat Clemson (since they aren’t going to the playoffs). In that case, Clemson probably goes to the Cotton Bowl.
Jfann says:
November 24, 2019 at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the clarification!