Saturday night time’s ACC Championship Recreation showdown between No. 17 Virginia and Duke at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte will produce a historic final result both approach — neither program has ever gained the league title sport earlier than. It has been 12 years for the reason that Blue Devils’ final look and 5 for Virginia. Each groups will enjoying within the convention championship sport for simply the second time since its introduction in 2005.
A foul season for historic ACC powers Clemson and Florida State flung the door open for chaos within the league. Virginia capitalized by ending above the fray with a 7-1 convention mark because the Cavaliers broke via below fourth-year coach Tony Elliott to succeed in 10 wins for the primary time since 1989. Duke arrived through the good thing about tiebreakers that separated 5 groups with 6-2 marks in convention play.
At 7-5 total, the Blue Devils are an unlikely participant in a convention title sport, as their resume is dragged down by a 1-3 mark in nonconference play. They reached the ACC Championship Recreation by having the next convention opponent successful proportion than the opposite 4 groups who have been additionally 6-2 in league play.
No matter how they bought right here, the stage is about for a championship battle between the Blue Devils and Cavaliers that may have vital School Soccer Playoff stakes and historic implications for each groups. The winner will have the ability to declare ACC supremacy for the primary time in program historical past.
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Will Backus
Duke vs. Virginia: Must know
Rematch of a beatdown: Virginia dominated Duke 34-17 on the highway final month in a much-needed bounce-back efficiency following a loss to Wake Forest. The Cavaliers led 31-3 late within the third quarter after J’Mari Taylor reeled off a 78-yard landing run. Though Duke added a few fourth-quarter scores to make the ultimate margin look respectable, UVa was clearly the higher crew. Virginia doubled up Duke 22-11 in first downs and complete yards (540-255). It was the worst sport of the season for Duke star quarterback Darian Mensah by way of completion proportion (51.4%) and his second-worst by way of passing yards (213).
Duke’s turnover swings Duke dropped to 5-5 (4-2 ACC) with its ugly dwelling loss to Virginia on Nov. 15. However the Blue Devils discovered themselves over the ultimate two video games of the common season by beating in-state rivals North Carolina and Wake Forest. A 4-0 turnover margin lifted Duke to a 49-32 win over the Demon Deacons final week. For higher or worse, huge turnover margins have been a theme for the Blue Devils this season. They coughed the soccer up 5 instances in an early-season loss to Illinois. Throughout a subsequent three-game successful streak towards NC State, Syracuse and Cal, Duke gained the turnover battled a mixed 11-0. Taking good care of the ball towards this crew is of the utmost significance.
School Soccer Playoff implications: If Virginia wins, the Cavaliers will undoubtedly be one of many 5 highest-ranked convention champions and obtain automated qualification into the CFP. That will be the straightforward final result for the CFP Choice Committee. But when Duke wins, the image can be much more sophisticated. Assuming No. 25 James Madison wins the Solar Belt Championship Recreation over Troy on Friday night time, JMU may find yourself being ranked above the Blue Devils. With the American Championship Recreation winner (both No. 20 Tulane or No. 24 North Texas) additionally poised to be ranked forward of Duke, the Blue Devils might be in hassle. There is a sturdy risk {that a} victory will not get them into the playoff.
The place to look at Duke vs. Virginia stay
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Financial institution of American Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: ABC | Dwell stream: Fubo (Strive at no cost)
Duke vs. Virginia prediction, picks
Duke performed arguably its worst sport of the season towards Virginia on Nov. 15, falling 34-17 at dwelling to the Cavaliers, however the consequence should not be overanalyzed. It was the most effective of Virginia and the worst of Duke. Life this 12 months within the ACC is so unstable that the paradigm may simply shift the opposite approach this time round. Count on an impressed effort from the Blue Devils, who’ve spent the week listening to why they do not should be right here as an unranked crew with a 7-5 file. Duke boasts one of many nation’s prime passers in quarterback Darian Mensah, and head coach Manny Diaz is wise sufficient defensively to ship a greater sport plan than within the first assembly. Decide: Duke +3.5
Who will win and canopy in every convention championship sport? Legendary Vegas skilled Bruce Marshall is on a 43-36 roll on school soccer picks. Go to SportsLine now to see all his school soccer picks.
