Miami leads ACC despite loss, while conference races tighten
The Hurricanes hold the top spot in the ACC, but tiebreakers and remaining schedules threaten the leads for Miami, Utah, and Georgia.
By Aiko Soto ·
Miami sits atop the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, but the team’s path to the conference championship game has grown complicated after a first loss of the season to Notre Dame. The Hurricanes currently hold a 6-0 record in conference play. However, Wake Forest sits one game behind at 5-1 and possesses a head-to-head victory over Louisville. A win for SMU on Saturday against Wake Forest would further complicate the title chase. Conference officials have moved analytics rankings higher in the tiebreaker process, making advanced metrics a deciding factor in a crowded field that also includes Duke and Clemson.
In the Big 12, Utah controls the league with an unbeaten 6-0 conference record. The Utes hold a one-game lead over Texas Tech. The Red Raiders survived a 53-48 loss to West Virginia but face a difficult schedule. Texas Tech will travel to Oklahoma State and Baylor in consecutive weeks. Those games could determine if the Red Raiders secure a spot in the conference title game. Arizona, BYU, Houston, Baylor, and Oklahoma State all sit at 4-2, keeping the race open behind the top two teams.
Georgia leads the SEC with a 6-1 conference record. The Bulldogs reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll. Alabama and Kentucky follow at 5-2. A notable factor in the SEC race is that none of the top five contenders will play each other during the final stretch. This absence of direct matchups leaves tiebreakers to decide the champion. Georgia is the betting favorite for the conference title.
The Big Ten race remains volatile due to quarterback injuries. UCLA leads the conference at 6-0. Indiana trails by just one game. Seven teams have only two conference losses, keeping the standings tight. USC hosts Indiana in a critical upcoming matchup. A win for the Trojans would tighten the standings and benefit Ohio State and Oregon, both of which sit at 4-2. Indiana is the betting favorite for the Big Ten title.
Boise State commands the reconstituted eight-team Pac-12. The Broncos hold a 5-0 conference record and a two-game lead over Oregon State. Oregon State travels to Boise on Nov. 14. A victory for the Broncos would nearly secure a berth in the conference championship game. Boise State is the favorite to win the Pac-12.
In the Group of Five conferences, North Texas leads the American Athletic Conference at 5-0. The Mean Green host UTSA on Nov. 14 in a game that could decide the league. In Conference USA, Liberty and Jacksonville State are both 5-0. In the Mid-American Conference, Ohio leads at 5-0, but Toledo is the betting favorite. Ohio plays Toledo on Nov. 27. In the Sun Belt, Louisiana Tech leads the West and plays Southern Mississippi this weekend.
Miami, Utah, Georgia, UCLA, and Boise State currently hold favorable positions in their respective leagues. However, several conferences remain one key result away from a change in leadership. The final weeks of the regular season will determine which teams advance to the championship games.
