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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Though the ACC Championship might not be the flashiest game of the weekend, it might have the biggest implications. When Virginia and Duke face off at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday night, the two will be playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

For the No. 17 Virginia Cavaliers (10-2), a win means they are guaranteed a spot in the expanded 12-team playoff as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions; the Cavaliers will probably slot in at No. 11 in the bracket on Sunday with a win. However, for the unranked Duke Blue Devils (7-5), a win would create chaos and could potentially lead to the ACC being shut out of the College Football Playoff entirely.

The Cavaliers’ dramatic rise to a 10-win season and the ACC Championship game is one of the biggest surprise stories in college football, especially considering they were projected to finish dead last in the conference preseason media poll. Head Coach Tony Elliott engineered the turnaround primarily by aggressively utilizing the transfer portal, bringing in 31 new players, including star quarterback Chandler Morris from North Texas and running back J’Mari Taylor from NC Central, who now spearheads the ACC’s third-best rushing attack. The two teams met in early November, with Virginia winning 34-17.

With the CFP granting automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions, a Duke win would likely drop the ACC champion below contenders from the American and Sun Belt conferences, leaving the conference to fight for a difficult at-large bid. Duke coach Manny Diaz has argued emphatically that an ACC Champion, regardless of record, deserves a place in the playoff, pointing to his team’s challenging schedule and the controversial five-way tiebreaker that landed them in Charlotte over 10-win Miami. Virginia can put all of this to bed with a win.

This game is a win-and-in for Virginia, but a possible win-and-out disaster scenario for the entire Atlantic Coast Conference if Duke prevails. Will it be the Hoos capping off a storybook season by punching a ticket to the Playoff, or will Duke make its case and set up a potential doomsday for the ACC?

STREAM: Watch 2025 ACC championship live with Fubo (free trial)

Duke vs. Virginia football score

 

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Duke vs. Virginia live updates, highlights from 2025 ACC championship

9:21 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 12, Morris tried to hit a receiver deep downfield, but Kendall Johnson deflected the pass at the line.

Virginia has to punt, the first time for either team, and Duke takes over again on the 25.

9:17 p.m.: The Cavaliers pick up a first down on two plays. First, Morris takes a scramble eight yards then Waylee goes for two.

Duke 14, Virginia 7

9:14 p.m.: The Blue Devils take the lead back.

Sheppard takes a carry into the pile, but bounces out of it for a 16-yard touchdown, walking into the end zone.

It’s the second-longest scoring drive (by time) in title game history, right after the Blue Devils’ opening drive. Duke leads 14-7.

9:10 p.m.: After a Mensah fumble in the backfield, Duke faced a 3rd & 15 from its own 47. Though, the quarterback has the best throw of the game.

No. 10 steps back in the pocket and lobs one up to Hagans down the left sideline, and the receiver stays in while bringing in the ball. It’s a 35-yard gain.

Duke is now inside the red zone.

9:07 p.m.: Duke moves the chains on fourth down, with Castle taking it three yards across midfield.

9:04 p.m.: A new note from the press box: Duke’s touchdown drive was the longest by time in ACC Championship history.

Now, the Blue Devils offense faces a 4th & inches from its own 48.

9:02 p.m.: Mensah and the Duke offense can’t move the ball.

On 3rd & 2, Castle takes a carry up the middle but gets immediately stifled by the Virginia defensive line.

Though, Manny Diaz pulls one out of a hat, running a fake punt. The Blue Devils have a first down.

Duke 7, Virginia 7

8:58 p.m.: The Cavaliers strike back, and it’s their best offensive player: J’Mari Taylor.

On first down, Morris hits his star running back in the flat, and Taylor makes a defender miss en route to the end zone.

Virginia makes it 7-7 on the No. 3’s first receiving touchdown of the season.

8:57 p.m.: Virginia has a new set of downs just outside of the 10.

An offsides penalty on Duke moves the chains.

End of the first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0

8:52 p.m.: At the end of one, it’s Duke who leads 7-0. But, Virginia is back in the red zone after the Mensah interception.

Morris and the Cavalier offense is looking to respond.

8:49 p.m.: Duke’s first play of the second drive goes backwards, with the Virginia defense swarming a screen pass for a four-yard loss.

Then, the game flips. Mensah throws his first interception in ACC play, getting picked off by Corey Costner.

Just like that, the Hoos are in business after the forced turnover.

8:44 p.m.: Morris gets swarmed in the pocket on 3rd & 6, and he goes down. It was Wesley Williams and Aaron Hall who got to him for the first sack of the game.

It gets even worse for Virginia. Will Bettridge comes on for a 45-yard field goal, but it’s not even close.

Duke has the ball back, up 7-0.

8:42 p.m.: On third down, Morris hits Harrison Waylee on a screen pass, and he takes it seven yards.

The Cavaliers have a new set of downs inside the 30.

8:39 p.m.: On the first play from scrimmage for Virginia, Morris hits Trell Harris for 23 yards. He found the receiver up the seam, and Virginia is already near midfield.

The next play, Duke forced a fumble and recovered, though a holding penalty negates it. The Cavaliers are now right outside the 40.

Duke 7, Virginia 0

8:33 p.m.: Duke caps off a 16-play, 75-yard opening drive with a touchdown.

Jeremiah Hasley hauls in a pass from Mensah — who went 9-for-10 on the first drive — and barrels to the end zone for a 12-yard score.

Duke leads 7-0, and it’s the Virginia offense’s turn.

8:29 p.m.: Now on a 3rd & 7 from the 22, Duke once again moves the chains.

This time, Mensah connects with Nate Sheppard, and the Blue Devils keep on driving as we’re halfway through the first quarter.

8:28 p.m.: Duke opts to go for it on 4th & 2 on the first drive, and Mensah hits Landen King downfield for 16 yards.

The Blue Devils are now inside the 30.

8:18 p.m.: On 3rd down, Mensah hands it off to Anderson Castle, who dives forward for a first down.

Duke is near midfield. 

8:15 p.m.: We are underway in Charlotte.

Onto the field comes the ACC’s leading passer, Darian Mensah, and the Duke offense.

8:13 p.m.: Virginia has won the coin toss and has elected to defer.

Mensah and the high-flying Duke offense will get the ball first.

8:12 p.m.: Note from the press box: at 39 degrees, it is the coldest weather at kickoff in ACC championship history.

8:12 p.m.: Out come the Duke Blue Devils.

Even with a 7-5 record, Manny Diaz’s team can win the ACC tonight and make a playoff push.

8:09 p.m.: First on the field is the Virginia Cavaliers.

Tony Elliott’s team, predicted to finish dead last in the ACC preseason poll, are a win away from the College Football Playoff.

8:04 p.m.: Teams are about to come onto the field at Bank of America Stadium, and the ACC Championship is moments away.

7:50 p.m.: ACC commissioner Jim Philips makes his final statement before the ACC championship, saying this game is as good as any.

7:22 p.m.: If Duke wants a chance tonight, it’s going to be because of Darian Mensah.

The quarterback leads the ACC in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in his first season with the Blue Devils.

Tonight, he faces a Virginia defense that is second in the ACC in scoring, allowing 20 points per game. 

7:15 p.m.: Kickoff is almost here in Charlotte.

Chandler Morris and the Cavaliers are looking to cap off the season with a conference championship and a playoff berth. 

MORE DUKE-VIRGINIA NEWS:

Where to watch 2025 ACC championship game

Duke vs. Virginia start time

  • Date: Dec. 6
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET

The ACC Championship Game is played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be the 15th time the ACC Championship Game has been played in Charlotte.

MORE: Tracking every hire of the 2025 college football coaching cycle

What channel is Duke vs. Virginia on today? 

  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Streaming: ESPN App, Fubo

The ACC championship will air on ABC on Saturday night. Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (color) will call the action, with Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines.

Viewers looking to stream the game can on the ESPN App or Fubo, which offers new subscribers a free trial.

College football schedule for conference championship week

Friday, Dec. 5

Conference Matchup Time (ET) TV Network
CUSA Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State 7:00 PM CBSSN
Sun Belt Troy at James Madison 7:00 PM ESPN
American North Texas at Tulane 8:00 PM ABC
Mountain West UNLV at Boise State 8:00 PM FOX

Saturday, Dec. 6

Conference Matchup Time (ET) TV Network
Big 12 BYU vs. Texas Tech  12:00 PM ABC
MAC Western Michigan vs. Miami (OH) 12:00 PM ESPN
SWAC Prairie View A&M at Jackson State 2:00 PM ESPN2
SEC Georgia vs. Alabama  4:00 PM ABC
ACC Virginia vs. Duke 8:00 PM ABC
Big Ten Ohio State vs. Indiana  8:00 PM FOX

MORE: What’s at stake in the Big Ten championship between Ohio State and Indiana

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