Games 1-5 | Games 6-10 | Games 16-20 | Games 21-25 | Games 26-30 | Games 31-35
11. SMU 24 #17 Arizona State 19 – January 2, 2026
No matter what you think about bowl games these days, they do set narratives in the off-season. In 2025-2026, ACC teams went 9-5 in the conference’s best bowl season since 2016. SMU had the best non-Miami Hurricane win of the bunch with a 24-19 win over #17 Arizona State. SMU raced out to 24-0 lead over an Arizona State team that finished the year 9-4. SMU also finished the year 9-4 as QB Keving Jennings threw for 278 yards. The Mustangs continued to prove what a solid addition they’ve been to the ACC.
12. Miami 41 Florida 17 – August 31, 2024
Miami’s 41 – 17 win in the Swamp over Florida was significant in so many ways. It kicked off Cam Ward’s Heisman candidacy, Miami’s flirtation with playoffs, and a 9-0 top 5 start. The ACC was searching for quality opening week wins, and Miami was one of the few bright spots. Cam Ward threw for nearly 400 yards and 3 TDs, and the defense looked fast and dominant. The Gators turned out to be pretty good by the end of the year, going 8-5 with wins over LSU and Ole Miss in November. This win won’t soon be forgotten by Hurricane fans.
13. Miami 48 #23 Texas A&M 33 – September 9, 2023
By the end of the year Texas A&M had fired Jimbo Fisher and went 7-6. Miami also went 7-6 and 3 of their last 4 games, but for one glorious night Miami looked like the Miami of old. Against a ranked Aggie team, the Hurricanes looked aggressive and fast. Tyler Van Dyke threw for 5 TDs. This win had Miami fans and the college football world thinking that the Canes might be on their way to a monster season. That didn’t happen, but in early September of 2023 we were reminded of what Miami football is still capable of when it hits on all cylinders.
14. Virginia 13 Missouri 7 – December 27, 2025
Virginia came into their Gator Bowl game against Missouri as overlooked as any 10-win P4 team in recent memory. Virginia was a 4-point underdog against an 8-4 Missouri team. Virginia was without several key players, but it didn’t matter. They were the better team upfront. They held Missouri to 260 total yards and won 11 games to finish ranked 16th in both polls. It was a special season and a special win for the long-suffering Virginia program and its fans.
15. Duke 42 Arizona 39 – December 31, 2025
If Virginia was the most overlooked 10-win P4 team in recent memory, then the ACC Champion Duke Blue Devils were the most overlooked P4 Champion in recent memory. Duke was fortunate to play in the ACC Title at 7-5, but they didn’t listen to the background noise, and won the ACC. Then they went to Sun Bowl to face 8-4 Arizona, and with a 42-39 win, validated their title. QB Darrian Mensah threw for 327 yards and 4 TDs in the wild back-and-forth game. Manny Diaz delivered an ACC title and a bowl win after just 2 years in Durham.
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