show time: five acc games that will shape the cfp picture

The ACC has been one of the nation's best conferences all year. With ranked teams like Miami, Wake Forest, SMU, and teams like Duke and Louisville still in conference championship contention, CFB Weekly previews the remaining games on the ACC slate of the most importance for the national playoff picture

Wake Forest (8-1) at SMU (7-2) November 14

A pivotal matchup between the conference's #2 and #4 teams, this game is essentially a playoff game for both teams. Wake lacks the quality wins needed to get in with a 10-2 record, while three losses would push SMU out of the playoff picture entirely.

If Wake Forest wins, they move to 9-1 and are in perfect position to finish 11-1, with just a lone loss to Miami in week three. Additionally, an 11-1 Wake team would likely face the Hurricanes again in the ACC championship, with the winner receiving an auto-bid to the playoffs. If SMU wins this game, their matchup against Notre Dame in week 12 also becomes a playoff game. It may not make headlines, but Wake at SMU is one of the most important games for the playoff picture all season in any conference. The loser of this game is eliminated from the CFP conversation while the winner will suddenly control their own destiny

SMU (7-2) at Notre Dame (8-1) November 21

This game is only meaningful for both teams if the Mustangs can pull off a win against Wake Forest in the week prior. However, if that happens, an 8-2 SMU team led by preseason Heisman candidate and three-year starter Kevin Jennings at QB would travel to South Bend with the opportunity to clinch a playoff bid and potentially a spot in the ACC championship depending on the performance of Louisville. Yet again, the loser of this game is likely eliminated from playoff contention. Another massive matchup for both teams.

Wake Forest (8-1) vs Duke (7-2) November 28

If Wake can beat SMU this weekend and Duke can pull off an upset over Miami in a trap game, the Blue Devils and the Demon Deacons would likely face off with respective records of 10-1 and 9-2 with the winner receiving an ACC championship game berth. These two teams need to take care of business in the next two weeks for this game to have any meaning, but if they do so, circle this matchup as yet another playoff game.

Miami (8-1) at Duke (7-2) November 14th

The recipe for a Blue Devils upset is certainly there. This is a Duke defense that has given up just 14 points a game this year and holds one of the most experienced secondaries/defenses in the nation.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Devils, RB Nate Shepard has emerged as one of the nation's best backs with a whopping 1,189 yards and 17 touchdowns in just nine games. With 306 receiving yards to go on top of that, Shepard ranks #1 in the country in points scored and total touchdowns while ranking at #2 in the country for rushing yards.

Shepard is elite and versatile, and with an elite and experienced defense on the other side, this game could be reminiscent of last year's Louisville game for the Hurricanes, where Cardinals RB Isaac Brown single-handedly upset Miami.

Additionally, with Duke HC Manny Diaz formerly working for the Canes and Cristobal, and the fact that Miami took Duke's QB1 and WR1 from the portal over the offseason (Darien Mensah and Cooper Barkate), the Blue Devils will be more than fired up to beat their former teammates.

Without Malachi Toney in an early morning matchup against a veteran team that needs to win to keep their season alive, this is a massive test for the Hurricanes. The loser of this game is eliminated from playoff contention. Expect an absolute bloodbath in this pivotal ACC matchup in week 11.

Clemson (6-3) at Duke (7-2) November 20

If Duke pulls it off against Miami, this game is the only thing standing in the way of the Devils and a matchup with Wake Forest with a conference championship berth on the line. If Manny Diaz and Duke enters this game at 8-2, this is a must-win for Duke's playoff hopes.