Week 11 of the 2025 college football season unleashed significant turmoil across the ACC, with multiple ranked teams suffering unexpected losses that have thrown the conference standings into disarray and jeopardized its College Football Playoff aspirations. The chaos has reshaped the playoff landscape, raising questions about the ACC’s ability to secure multiple bids and highlighting unpredictable shifts in other major conferences.
The ACC faced a disastrous weekend as several top teams faltered, amplifying the conference’s instability. No. 14 Virginia lost to unranked Wake Forest, with quarterback Chandler Morris injured during the game, while No. 15 Louisville fell in overtime to California. No. 18 Miami struggled for quarters before securing a win against Syracuse, and Duke suffered a non-conference defeat to UConn, underscoring the league’s collective struggles. These results have left no ACC teams unbeaten in conference play, with contenders like Pitt, SMU, and Duke still in the mix for the title game, creating a logjam that complicates the path to Charlotte.
This upheaval has severe implications for the ACC’s playoff prospects, as the conference risks being limited to a single bid for its champion in the expanded 12-team field. Current projections, such as those from CBS Sports, suggest Georgia Tech could emerge as the ACC champion, but the chaotic standings mean any of several teams could clinch the spot. The selection committee’s initial rankings already placed the ACC’s highest team at No. 14, and Week 11’s losses reinforce perceptions that the league may not deserve multiple playoff entries, potentially reducing its influence in the postseason.
Beyond the ACC, the Big 12 experienced its own drama, with Texas Tech delivering a commanding 29-7 victory over previously unbeaten BYU. This win positions the Red Raiders as frontrunners for the conference title, but the one-sided nature of the game could hurt the Big 12’s chances for multiple playoff bids. BYU’s potential drop in rankings might leave the league reliant on a close rematch in the championship game to bolster its case, echoing the ACC’s challenges in a season where non-conference wins are scarce.
In other conferences, close calls avoided further chaos but raised seeding questions. No. 2 Indiana needed a last-minute touchdown drive to beat Penn State, cementing quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman credentials but exposing vulnerabilities. No. 9 Oregon secured a win against Iowa with a game-winning field goal, while Texas A&M’s strong performance keeps them in contention for a top seed, potentially challenging Indiana for the No. 2 spot. These developments highlight the fluidity of the playoff race, with undefeated teams like Ohio State and Texas A&M solidifying their positions, but others facing scrutiny.
The College Football Playoff selection committee now confronts multiple dilemmas, including whether the ACC and Big 12 have played themselves into being one-bid leagues. Group of 5 teams like South Florida, Tulane, and North Texas are entering the conversation, with no such teams ranked in the initial poll but strong cases emerging after Week 11. Additionally, a one-loss James Madison from the Sun Belt could theoretically overtake a multi-loss ACC champion for an automatic bid, adding another layer of complexity to the committee’s deliberations.
As the season enters its final weeks, key matchups will determine the playoff field. Texas Tech’s remaining games, Indiana’s push for the Big Ten title, and the ACC’s chaotic race to the championship game are critical. The committee’s upcoming rankings will reflect Week 11’s chaos, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to a season defined by unpredictability and the ever-present potential for more surprises.
