Three teams for two spots in CFP bracket. Either Alabama, Notre Dame or Miami must go.
Georgia left no doubt in this rematch with Alabama. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs boot stomped the Tide.
Alabama’s playoff argument will center on strength of schedule that Notre Dame, Miami can’t match.

ATLANTA – Now, the elephant sweats.

With a chance to remove all doubt that it’s a College Football Playoff team, Alabama let doubt multiply like weeds after a thunderstorm.

Alabama could have played its way into the bracket. Now, it’s left to try to talk its way in, after trying its darnedest to play its way out in a pitiful 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

One of these teams looked like a playoff team.

The other team looked like a worthy opponent for Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Alabama hasn’t played like a playoff team since descending from its mid-October peak.

Alabama’s one-dimensional offense downgraded to zero-dimensional on this day. Georgia stomped a hole in its chest.

When Ty Simpson’s fourth-down pass deep inside Alabama territory sailed incomplete to suffocate Alabama’s faint hope, Kalen DeBoer threw his hands onto his head.

Sorry, coach, the Penn State job is filled now.

CFP rejecting Alabama would spur debate on playoff size, format

We can have a spirited debate about the optics or ethics of Notre Dame and Miami benefiting from sitting at home while Alabama strapped it up against one of the nation’s best teams, but this is college football, so what are ethics?

I’m unaware of any playoff rule that says the committee must select a three-loss team that got whipped twice.

There’s two spots for three teams. The committee must decide whether to bounce Alabama, Notre Dame or Miami. Brigham Young, Texas and Vanderbilt would like a word, too, but their words will fall on deaf ears.

Two spots. Three teams.

The committee must play the hand its dealt. It’s not the committee’s fault that it must select a Tulane, which lost to Mississippi by 35 points, or that five-loss Duke retained a shot at an automatic bid, hours before selection day.

If Alabama had just been competitive in this game, that would have buttoned up the Tide’s spot. They weren’t competitive. They were steamrolled.

The “It Just Means More” brigade will howl that there’s no way the SEC’s runner-up should be left out of a 12-team bracket. That would hold merit if we knew Alabama is the conference’s second-best team.

Truth be told, there’s no evidence Alabama is superior to Mississippi or Texas A&M. When it played Oklahoma, it lost at home. Nobody forced the SEC to expand to 16 teams, and Alabama played only half the conference to earn its spot here. The Tide reached this game thanks in part to league tiebreaker rules. Those tiebreakers don’t apply to the CFP.

If the SEC’s runner-up gets rejected from the bracket, that probably assures change is coming to the playoff’s size and format. Change is likely coming, anyway. If this is to be the accelerant, so be it.

While the muckety mucks do their playoff rethinking, spare some brainpower for what should be done with the first weekend in December.

Conference championships were a wonderful data point when the playoff consisted of four teams. At 12 teams, we’d be better served if conference title games were dumped in favor of a 13th game for everyone on the first weekend in December.

I don’t savor the idea of rewarding Notre Dame and Miami for putting their feet up. Dumping conference championship games for a 13th game would remedy that situation.

SEC boss Greg Sankey will holler that a loss to his conference’s champ shouldn’t eliminate Alabama, and he’d be right. A single loss to Georgia shouldn’t eliminate Alabama. But, how about a loss to a bad ACC team? Should that eliminate Alabama, just as Texas’ loss to Florida sinks the Longhorns?

Heavy is the anchor of Alabama’s Week 1 flop to Florida State.

Alabama’s best case vs. Notre Dame, Miami: Strength of schedule

Consider this microcosm of the SEC Championship: Alabama’s first three possessions of the third quarter totaled 7 yards and no first downs. And Alabama’s rushing attack? It produced negative yardage. Lord, have mercy. Georgia showed none.

A shutout would’ve been rocket fuel for the Notre Dame and Miami propaganda campaigns, but Alabama mustered one fourth-quarter score to save a little face.

Since Alabama comfortably beat Tennessee on the Third Saturday in October, the Tide have produced white-knuckle victories against South Carolina and Auburn, two of the SEC’s worst teams. They got a mucky win against LSU. They had a turnover meltdown in a loss to Oklahoma. Now, this.

None of that means Alabama doesn’t have a playoff case. It does. Even after this debacle, I’d think long and hard before booting the Tide, but not because it reached Atlanta. Remember, tiebreakers influenced this spot. I’m unmoved by tiebreakers. The committee shouldn’t be either.

What remains persuasive, though, is that Alabama won as many games as Notre Dame and Miami against a tougher schedule than either of those teams endured.

It’s hard to believe now, but Alabama beat Georgia on the road in September. That trumps Miami’s win against Notre Dame. It’s a much better win than anything on the Irish’s resume, even if the Tide’s FSU loss is more unsightly than anything Alabama’s challengers sustained.

The Tide have a case — but a shaky one, and it’s much more wobbly after Georgia smashed it in the mouth for four quarters, while Notre Dame and Miami polished their talking points.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

BYU football had an automatic berth to the College Football Playoff sitting in front of itself when it arrived at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6 for the Big 12 championship game.

However, the 11th-ranked Cougars were unable to grab that ticket, as they lost 34-7 to No. 6 Texas Tech (No. 4 in CFP rankings) to drop to 11-2 on the season.

Following the loss, BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston offered an emphatic answer to the CFP selection committee on why the Cougars should still make the field at 11-2, which included a jab at the SEC and ESPN, which owns the broadcast rights to the CFP and the SEC.

‘… What’s the point of going to a Big 12 championship when it’s going to hurt us (and) our College Football Playoff chances. I hope the committee realizes it. They are all biased towards ESPN and the SEC,’ Kingston told BYUtv Sports Nation following the Big 12 championship game. ‘It is what it is. If we don’t get put in, we will be there next year.’

The Cougars were outplayed and outmatched by the Red Raiders for the second time this season in Saturday’s Big 12 title game. After driving down the field for a touchdown on its opening drive of the game, BYU was unable to score for the remainder of the game.

Texas Tech’s defense came up with four takeaways and a turnover on downs in BYU’s final seven drives of the second half. The Cougars finished with just 200 total yards of offense compared to the Red Raiders’ 374 yards.

BYU entered Week 15 on the wrong side of the bubble as the 11th-ranked team in the penultimate CFP top 25 rankings: The No. 11 and 12 seeds will go to two of the five highest-ranked conference champions, meaning BYU’s only way to the CFP entering the day was to become a conference champion.

As noted by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark in a news conference before the game, no Power Four team with an 11-1 record had ever finished outside the top 10 in the CFP rankings entering championship week until the committee ranked BYU 11th in the penultimate rankings.

Using the penultimate CFP rankings, the SEC is projected to have five of the 12 spots in the CFP field, which is the most by any Power Four conference.

Kingston wasn’t the only member of BYU’s program to give a last-minute pitch to the committee, as BYU coach Kalani Sitake offered his two cents in his postgame news conference as well.

‘If you look at what Texas Tech’s done, they’re the best team in the country for a reason,’ Sitake. ‘I’m not on the playoff committee, but I can tell you one thing: Who’s played the best team in the country twice? We have.’

When do new CFP rankings come out?

The Cougars will learn whether they made the 12-team field as an at-large or not at noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7 when the official 12-team CFP bracket is released.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

In a trade that snugly fits the needs of a team in transition and another in win-now mode, the Washington Nationals acquired top catching prospect Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners for left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer, the teams announced on the eve of baseball’s Dec. 7 winter meetings.

Ford, 22, is a consensus top 100 prospect who made a six at-bat debut for the Mariners this past season. Of course, he’s blocked from a full-time role in Seattle by Cal Raleigh, who hit 61 home runs, most ever by a primary catcher, and finished runner-up in American League MVP voting.

The Nationals also acquired right-handed pitcher Isaac Lyon, a 10th-round pick in the July draft who pitched 12 1/3 innings at low Class A Modesto in 2025. The trade marks the first significant swap for new Nationals baseball operations chief Paul Toboni, who will have weightier rebuild chips to ponder – such as All-Stars MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams – once the meetings commence.

Ferrer, 23, is a potentially potent yet for now inconsistent bullpen piece who’s toggled through high-leverage relief roles for the Nationals the past three seasons. He served as their part-time closer after the trade of Kyle Finnegan to Detroit, recording 11 saves. Ferrer gets his fastball up to 98 mph and also features a 97 mph power sinker, yet iffy command has resulted in a career 1.27 WHIP.

Still, he has just two years of service time and can slide nicely into a defined role in a Mariners bullpen anchored by All-Star closer Andres Muñoz. The Mariners won the AL West and reached the seventh game of the AL Championship Series before falling to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ford was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft out of an Atlanta high school and has a career .832 OPS in the minor leagues. He hit 16 homers at Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.) this season. Ford should find an immediate opportunity in Washington, with veteran Keibert Ruiz, though signed to a modest contract through 2030, suffering through two seasons of poor production and injury. Ruiz has a 72 adjusted OPS over the past two seasons.

A Power Four conference champion was determined Saturday night — even though the winner of the game may not earn a College Football Playoff berth.

The 2025 ACC football season wrapped up on Saturday, Dec. 6 with Duke outlasting No. 16 Virginia (No. 17 CFP) 27-20 in overtime at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to win the ACC Championship game for the first time in program history.

Watch the ACC championship game on Fubo (free trial)

The win improves the Blue Devils to 8-5, though it’s unlikely they’ll be able to leapfrog No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 CFP) in the playoff selection committee rankings. Duke was unranked in last week’s committee rankings. Because of that, the ACC could be shut out of the playoff, with No. 13 Miami (No. 12 CFP), as a potential at-large participant, standing as its best hope to make the field.

The Cavaliers had been one of the best stories in college football this season and will finish the regular season with a 10-3 record after going just 11-23 in their previous three seasons under coach Tony Elliott. It’s Virginia’s first 10-win season since 1989.

Duke was in the ACC Championship game despite finishing just 7-5 in the regular season. A 6-2 record in conference play, however, sent it to Charlotte after a convoluted series of tiebreakers notably left out Miami.

Duke led 20-10 with four minutes remaining, but Virginia mounted a furious comeback to tie the game on an 18-yard Chandler Morris touchdown pass to Eli Wood with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In overtime, the Blue Devils got a touchdown pass from Darian Mensah on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and intercepted Morris on the first play of the Cavaliers’ ensuing possession to end the game.

USA TODAY brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Here are the highlights:

Virginia vs Duke score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Virginia vs Duke updates

FINAL: Duke 27, Virginia 20

Virginia INT ends game, gives Duke ACC championship

After a roughing-the-passer penalty pushed Virginia back to the 40-yard line to start its drive. The Cavaliers went with some trickery on their first play, with Chandler Morris ending up with the ball and firing the ball to Eli Wood. Duke linebacker Luke Mergott, however, steps in to intercept the pass and end the game. It’s Mergott’s first career interception.

Duke has won the ACC championship.

Duke gets TD on first drive of OT

Duke has little trouble moving it up the field, getting a first-and-goal at the Virginia 1-yard line before the Cavaliers hold firm, stopping the Blue Devils on three straight plays. Manny Diaz opts to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1, with Darian Mensah rolling out and finding Jeremiah Hasley in the end zone.

Duke is now four for four on the day on fourth down.

End of fourth quarter: Duke 20, Virginia 20

After a short kickoff return, Duke opts to take a knee and send the game to overtime. Virginia wins the toss and decides to play defense first.

Of note, the Cavaliers have won three overtime games this season, so they’ve got plenty of experience with this situation, albeit not with these kinds of stakes.

Virginia ties game on Chandler Morris TD pass

Virginia’s furious comeback has us on the brink of overtime. The Cavaliers go 96 yards in 10 plays and just 1:22, with a Chandler Morris 18-yard touchdown pass to Eli Wood serving as the exclamation point. The extra point is good and we’re tied, 20-20, with 22 seconds left. Wood stepped out of bounds, but it was determined that he was forced out by the Duke defensive back and he re-established himself on the field before hauling in the catch.

Duke does have two timeouts left, though it’s fair to wonder whether the Blue Devils want to be too aggressive and not risk a turnover.

Virginia forces Duke punt, will have chance to tie

It all comes down to one drive.

Virginia’s defense stands tall, stuffing Duke on back-to-back plays from the Blue Devils’ 48-yard line. The second of those stops, a Nate Sheppard 2-yard run on third-and-8 ended with Sheppard going out of bounds, stopping the clock with 1:51 remaining and allowing the Cavaliers to hold on to their two timeouts.

Virginia takes over at its own 4-yard line after a 46-yard punt and will have 1:44 to try to mount a game-tying drive, along with two timeouts.

Virginia FG makes it a one-score game

It’s not quite over yet in Charlotte. Thanks in large part to a 25-yard pass from Chandler Morris to Cam Ross, Virginia goes 50 yards in eight plays, with Will Bettridge finishing it off with a 42-yard field goal.

Duke’s lead is down to seven, 20-13, with 3:54 left. After the kickoff, the Blue Devils take over at their own 25-yard line. The Cavaliers still have all three of their timeouts, as well as the two-minute timeout.

Duke FG extends lead over Virginia to 10

Duke capitalizes on the short field, getting a 23-yard Todd Pelino field goal to push its lead over Virginia to 10, 20-10, with 5:02 left.

The Blue Devils very nearly got seven points instead of three, with Darian Mensah connecting with Cooper Barkate for a 30-yard pickup to the Cavaliers’ 3-yard line. They’re not able to get any closer to the end zone, though, and ultimately settle for a field goal. But with a two-possession lead with five minutes left, Duke’s chances of a conference title just got that much better.

Chandler Morris INT gives Duke ball in Virginia territory

Duke makes good on pinning Virginia deep. On a third-and-9 from his team’s own 2-yard line, Chandler Morris tosses it deep, but there isn’t a receiver in the area and Blue Devils safety Caleb Weaver makes a diving catch to pick it off at the Cavaliers’ 33-yard line. Looked to be a potential miscommunication between Morris and his receiver.

With 7:21 remaining, Duke has the chance to burn some clock and, more importantly, stretch its lead to two possessions.

Duke punts, pins Virginia deep

The Blue Devils aren’t able to get past the Virginia 47-yard line, with a Darian Mensah pass on third-and-6 getting batted down before it could get to Cooper Barkate. A 47-yard punt from Kade Reynoldson is downed at the Virginia 1, where the Cavaliers will take over with 8:46 remaining.

Duke stops Virginia on fourth down, takes over

A huge play from a Duke defense that’s been uncharacteristically strong most of the night, with Chandler Morris sailing a pass high to Trell Harris in the end zone as Harris was covered by a pair of Duke defensive backs on fourth-and-5 from the Blue Devils’ 24-yard line.

Duke will take over at its own 24-yard line with 14:24 left in the game.

Third quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Virginia will start the fourth quarter with a third-and-9 at the Duke 28-yard line.

Duke pushes lead back to seven with FG

Duke stretches its lead back to seven with a field goal of its own, with Todd Pelino knocking through a 27-yard field goal after a six-play, 63-yard drive. Much of that yardage came on a 38-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Cooper Barkate that got the Blue Devils down to the Virginia 15-yard line after a face mask penalty was tacked on to the reception.

Duke had been set to go for a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 7, but a false start penalty knocked the Blue Devils back five yards. Manny Diaz opts for the sure three points, giving his team a 17-10 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Virginia cuts into Duke lead with FG

The Cavaliers get all the way down to the Blue Devils’ 2-yard line on their opening drive of the second half, but Duke’s defense stands tall from there, dropping Virginia for a 5-yard loss and then forcing Chandler Morris into an incompletion.

Still, the Cavaliers cap off a 17-play drive with a 24-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to get within four, 14-10, with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7

Duke holds a 14-7 lead over Virginia at halftime. The Blue Devils have a 170-115 advantage in total yards, with the Cavaliers running only 23 plays and Duke leading the time of possession battle 20:29-9:31.

Virginia is set to receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Duke punts

Duke goes three-and-out and punts away to Virginia, which will take over at its 30-yard line with 1:43 left.

Virginia punts

For the first time tonight, we have a punt. A Chandler Morris pass on third-and-9 from the Virginia 48-yard line falls incomplete and the Cavaliers opt to punt. The ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback, giving Duke the ball at its own 20 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.

Nate Sheppard TD run puts Duke back ahead of Virginia

Duke has another lengthy touchdown drive, this one going 75 plays in 13 plays in 8:02. It’s punctuated by a 16-yard Nate Sheppard touchdown run to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 lead with 6:14 left in the first half.

Duke yet again comes up with big plays with it needed them, converting on two fourth downs on the drive, one of which came on a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. It’s the Blue Devils’ third-consecutive game with a special teams fake for a first down.

Chandler Morris TD pass ties Virginia with Duke

Darian Mensah’s interception proves to be costly, turning what could have been a 14-point lead into a tie ballgame.

On a first-and-10 from the Duke 11-yard line, Chandler Morris dumps it off to running back J’Mari Taylor, who cuts and plows through the Blue Devils’ defense for a touchdown, tying the game after the extra point with 14:16 left in the first half.

End of first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0

Virginia has a second-and-1 at the Duke 14-yard line once the second quarter begins.

Darian Mensah INT gives Virginia ball back

Shortly after Duke benefits from a momentum swing, the Blue Devils give the ball right back. On a second-and-14 from the Duke 24-yard line, two plays after Virginia’s missed field goal, Darian Mensah throws an interception right to Cavaliers safety Corey Costner, who returns it to the Duke 23-yard line with 47 seconds left in the quarter.

Virginia misses FG

The Cavaliers have a nice response to Duke’s opening touchdown drive, getting as far as the Blue Devils’ 20-yard line. From there, though, they’re dropped for a 2-yard loss on a rushing attempt, Chandler Morris is brought down for a sack on third down and Will Bettridge misses a 45-yard field goal wide left.

Duke will take over at its own 28 with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Duke scores TD on first drive

After days of jokes about how it made the conference championship game, Duke showed on its first drive that it just might belong on this stage. The Blue Devils go 75 yards in 15 plays and 9:38, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah to Jeremiah Hasley.

It’s the longest opening drive by plays and time of possession in ACC Championship game history.

There were several instances on the possession that it seemed like Duke might not get any points, let alone seven. The Blue Devils faced four third-downs, converting three of them, and went for it on a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 41-yard line.

Pregame

How did Duke get into the ACC championship game?

Despite going 7-5 in the regular season, which included losses to Tulane and UConn, Duke finds itself 60 minutes away from a conference title. How, exactly, did the Blue Devils get there?

Even with its subpar overall mark, coach Manny Diaz’s team went 6-2 in conference play, putting it in a five-way tie for second place in the conference standings behind Virginia. Duke ended up getting the edge over the four other teams because of the ACC’s sixth tiebreaker: conference opponent record. Duke’s ACC opponents had a combined win percentage of .500, while Miami and Georgia Tech came in behind them at .438.

Virginia football injury updates

Here’s a look at the injury situation for Virginia heading into its ACC championship matchup against Duke, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

Out

CB #1 Dre Walker
WR #2 Andre Greene Jr.
LB #5 Kam Robinson
DB #7 Ja’Maric Morris
CB #9 Jam Jackson
TE #9 Dakota Twitty
QB #19 Grady Brosterhous
RB #20 Xavier Brown
RB #28 Noah Vaughn
S #38 Armstrong Jones
OL #54 Makilan Thomas
DL #56 Tyler Simmons
OL #56 Tyshawn Wyatt
OL #71 Monroe Mills
WR #80 Trevor Ladd

Game-time decision

WR #6 Cam Ross
WR #8 Jayden Thomas
OL #52 McKale Boley

Ross is the Hoos’ third-leading wide receiver this season, with 459 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Duke football injury updates

Here’s a look at the players who will be out for Duke in Saturday’s ACC championship game against Virginia, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

S #1 Terry Moore
CB #5 Kimari Robinson
DE #14 Bryce Davis
LB #24 Bradley Gompers
LB #31 Elliott Schaper
LB #36 Nick Morris Jr.
OL #52 Micah Sahakian
OL #73 Evan Scott
OL #78 Nathan Kutufaris

ACC championship game odds

Virginia is favored by -3.5 over Duke in the ACC championship game, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.

Who is calling the ACC championship game?

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be airing on ABC, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) on the call while Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor report from the sideline.

What time does Virginia vs Duke start?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Bank of American Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)

Virginia vs Duke will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What TV channel is Virginia vs Duke on today?

TV channel: ABC
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Virginia vs Duke predictions

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Sports: Duke 27, Virginia 24

The Blue Devils were handled by the Cavaliers in their regular-season matchup, but Virginia, for all of its success, has been inconsistent this season. With a better effort from quarterback Mensah this time around, Duke earns a tight win and potentially shuts the ACC out of the playoff.

Virginia football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Virginia’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Virginia 48, Coastal Carolina 7
Saturday, Sept. 6: NC State 35, Virginia 31
Saturday, Sept. 13: Virginia 55, Williams & Mary 16
Saturday, Sept. 20: Virginia 48, Stanford 20 *
Friday, Sept. 26: Virginia 46, Florida State 38 (2OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Virginia 22, Washington State 20
Saturday, Oct. 25: Virginia 17, North Carolina 16 (OT) *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Virginia 31, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: Wake Forest 16, Virginia 9 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 29: Virginia 27, Virginia Tech 7 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Duke football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Duke’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Thursday, Aug. 28: Duke 45, Elon 17
Saturday, Sept. 6: Illinois 45, Duke 19
Saturday, Sept. 13: Tulane 34, Duke 27
Saturday, Sept. 20: Duke 45, NC State 33 *
Saturday, Sept. 27: Duke 38, Syracuse 3 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Duke 45, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: Duke 46, Clemson 45 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: UConn 37, Duke 34
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Duke 32, North Carolina 25 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Duke 49, Wake Forest 32 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Inter Miami’s grand Lionel Messi experiment has paid off with a Major League Soccer championship.

Messi notched two assists in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a 3-1 victory with the go-ahead goal coming in the 71st-minute from Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 and immediately helped the club claimed its first-ever trophy in the cross-border Leagues Cup. In 2024, Messi won his first league MVP award and led Miami to the Supporter’s Shield (best regular season record), but the team was upset in the first round of the playoffs.

Since his MLS arrival, Messi has been joined in Miami by Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as Argentina buddy De Paul. Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, who took over before the 2025 season, also played with the Barcelona group and the Argentines on the national team.

Inter Miami went ahead in the eighth minute on an own goal deflected in off Vancouver’s Édier Ocampo. The Whitecaps got an equalizer in the 60th minute but De Paul put Miami back in front 11 minutes later – and Tadeo Allende added a clincher deep into stoppage time.

Messi recently signed a two-year extension, but Busquets and Alba both announced they would retire at the end of the season and Suarez isn’t under contract for 2026.

Owned partly by David Beckham, the ambitious Inter Miami played its first MLS season in 2020 and will move into a new stadium next season.

‘Once you get that first star, you want to go for a second and a third,’ Beckham told Fox amid the on-field celebrations.

Inter Miami vs Vancouver highlights: 2025 MLS Cup final

Here’s how the MLS Cup final unfolded:

Rodrigo De Paul goal! Miami 2, Vancouver 1

Rodrigo De Paul scored for Inter Miami in the 71st minute, perhaps the winning goal in this MLS Cup final.

De Paul, who won a World Cup with Messi for Argentina and joined him in Miami this year, got the assist from Messi and cleanly finished a 1-on-1 with Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

Emmanuel Sabbi hits both posts(!) for Whitecaps

Minutes after Ali Ahmed’s equalizer, Vancouver’s Emmanuel Sabbi smashed a shot off the post that bounced back across the face of goal and off the opposite post, somehow staying out to keep it 1-1.

The Whitecaps have been dominant for the last 10 minutes or so in Fort Lauderdale.

Ali Ahmed goal equalizes for Vancouver! Inter Miami 1, Whitecaps 1

Vancouver’s Ali Ahmed tied the MLS Cup final with a goal in the 60th minute, his shot bouncing off the hands of Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.

A Canadian international, the 25-year-old Ahmed is expected to play a big role for the team at the 2026 World Cup.

in the 61st minute, hit shot

Miami vs Vancouver second half underway

In the 51st minute, the Whitecaps had another penalty shot ignored when Ali Ahmed went down trying to get by Maximiliano Falcón.

HALFTIME: Inter Miami 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 0

Miami takes a 1-0 led into the break, going ahead on a Vancouver own-goal in the eighth minute of the MLS championship game.

The Whitecaps had a golden chance to equalize in the 39th minute but Emmanuel Sabbi was denied from close range by Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. A flicked-on header in the penalty area set Sabbi up, but an awkward bounce forced him to wait longer than he’d have liked for a first-time shot.

Vancouver getting frustrated in MLS Cup final

Vancouver’s Brian White was handed a yellow card in the 17th minute for shoving Maximiliano Falcon, who was admittedly theatrical in his fall. Baltasar Rdoriguez had received a yellow in the 13th minute for Inter Miami.

Miami leads 1-0 through the irst 24 minutes.

Inter Miami goal! 1-0 on Whitecaps own goal

Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute when a deflection off Vancouver’s Édier Ocampo into the back of the net for an goal. After a nice pass from Lionel Messi (who drew three defenders), Tadeo Allende was trying to slot a ball across the goal to Mateo Silvetti when his pass met Ocampo’s leg.

2025 MLS Cup final kicks off

Major League Soccer’s championship game is underway in Fort Lauderdale with Lionel Messi 90 minutes away from winning his MLS title.

Inter Miami has looked lively in the first four minutes and Tadeo Allende blasting a shot over the bar from a tight angle after a positive passage of play.

Inter Miami lineup today

Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup for MLS Cup final

MLS Cup 2025 predictions

Here’s how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see the 2025 MLS Cup playing out:

➤ Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. Really feel like this could be a fun game to watch with plenty of action and goals. Both teams come into this championship showdown on absolute heaters. Vancouver has a ‘team of destiny’ feel to it, but Lionel Messi profoundly tilts the balance of power Miami’s way.

➤ Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. Miami is as hot as it’s been all season, having won each of its last three games by four goals heading into the final. Thomas Muller and the Whitecaps attack can keep pace, but Lionel Messi will be too much to deal with as Miami wins, 3-2.

➤ Seth Vertelney: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. The Herons have found the formula for victory lately, with Luis Suarez moving to the bench to provide Lionel Messi with younger, more dynamic attacking partners. That has led to three straight wins by a combined score of 13-1. It’s hard to see anybody stopping them in this kind of form.

➤ James Weber: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps. I don’t think even a team as good as the Whitecaps can slow down Lionel Messi, especially at home. Putting Mateo Silvetti in the lineup really made Miami unstoppable down the stretch.

MLS Cup: Results of every championship game since 1996

2024: Los Angeles Galaxy over New York Red Bulls (Dignity Health Sports Park), 2-1.
2023: Columbus Crew over Los Angeles FC (Lower.com Field), 2-1
2022: Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union (Banc of California Stadium), 3-3 (LAFC won penalty shootout, 3-0)
2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)
2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0
2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1
2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0
2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0
2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1
2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)
2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)
2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0
2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)
2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1
2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)
2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)
2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2
2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2
2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)
2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)
2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0
1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0
1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0
1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1
1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

The NCAA Division I volleyball tournament’s second round concluded on Saturday.

No. 1 seeds Nebraska, Texas, Pitt and Kentucky advanced to the Sweet 16.

Cal Poly defeated No. 4 seed USC in the second round of the tournament play on Friday, the biggest upset of the tournament thus far.

The 2025 NCAA volleyball Final Four will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the third time since 2010 that the venue, formerly known as the Sprint Center, has hosted the volleyball national championship.

What time is NCAA volleyball tournament?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Start time: Eight matches, beginning at 6 p.m. ET Saturday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. All first- and second-round games can be found streaming on ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Watch the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament live with Fubo (free trial)

Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates, scores and schedule for the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament:

Saturday’s NCAA women’s volleyball tournament

Stanford 3, Arizona 1

The Cardinal advance, 25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20.

SMU 3, Florida 0

The Mustangs win the first match 25-11, 25-21, 26-24.

Texas A&M 3, TCU 1

The Aggies won 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27 in the closest match of the game.

Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0

The Huskers are now 32-0 after the sweep, 25-17, 25-21, 25-16.

Minnesota 3, Iowa State 0

The Gophers eliminate the Cyclones 25-22, 25-21, 25-14.

Texas 3, Penn State 0

Texas eliminates defending champion Penn State, 25-16, 25-9, 25-19.

Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0

No. 1 seed Pitt won 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 to eliminate Michigan.

Louisville 3, Marquette 2

Louisville staved off an upset 21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12.

NCAA volleyball second-round matchups, game times

The second round concludes Saturday Dec. 6.

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 UNI 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

No. 1 Nebraska 3, LIU 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

NCAA volleyball tournament rounds

Second round: Dec. 6
Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
National championship: 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 21

All games on ESPN Unlimited, ESPN, ABC

NCAA volleyball games Friday

Cal Poly 3, USC 2

Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Final: Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1

No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Final: Arizona State 3, Utah State 1

No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)

Final: Nebraska 3, Long Island University 0

No. 1 Nebraska swept Long Island University 25-11, 25-15, 25-17

Final: No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0

No. 3 Wisconsin swept North Carolina 25-14, 25-21, 27-25

Final: No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 UNI 1

No. 3 Creighton defeated No. 6 UNI 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21

Final: No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0

No. 4 Minnesota swept Fairfield 25-12, 25-7, 25-13

Final: Texas 3, Florida A&M

No. 1 Texas swept Florida A&M (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)

Final: Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1

Arizona defeated No. 7 South Dakota State 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15

Final: Kentucky 3, UCLA 1

No. 1 Kentucky defeated No. 8 UCLA 30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17

Final: Kansas 3, Miami 1

No. 4 Kansas defeated No. 5 Miami (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)

Final: Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0

Texas A&M swept Campbell 25-20, 25-10, 25-13

Final: SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0

No. 2 SMU swept Central Arkansas 25-13, 25-13, 25-13

Final: Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1

No. 3 Purdue defeated No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)

Final: No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0

No. 4 Indiana swept No. 5 Colorado (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)

Final: Kansas State 3, San Diego 2

Kansas State defeated No. 8 San Diego 21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12

Final: Pitt 3, UMBC 0

No. 1 Pitt swept UMBC 25-10, 25-17, 25-13

Final: Penn State 3, South Florida 1

No. 8 Penn State defeated South Florida 25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19

No. 8 Penn State took the first set 25-23, while South Florida took the second set 25-12. The defending champions won the third set 25-21 and the fourth 25-19 to win, 3-1.

Final: Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2

No. 5 Iowa State defeated St. Thomas-Minnesota 21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8

St. Thomas took the first set 25-21, while Iowa State took the second, 25-13, and third, 25-16. St. Thomas forced a decisive fifth set by taking the fourth 25-21, but Iowa State closed it out 15-8 in the fifth.

Final: Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0

No. 2 Louisville swept Loyola Chicago 25-17, 25-9, 25-12.

Final: TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0

No. 6 TCU swept Stephen F. Austin 25-8, 26-24, 25-20.

Final: Florida 3, Rice 0

Florida swept No. 7 Rice 27-25, 25-23, 25-19.

Final: Michigan 3, Xavier 0

Michigan swept No. 8 Xavier 25-19, 25-15, 25-23

Final: Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0

Marquette swept No. 7 Western Kentucky 25-22, 25-21, 25-16.

NCAA volleyball games Thursday

Final: USC 3, Princeton 0

No. 3 seed USC swept Princeton 25-19, 25-12, 25-13

Final: Kentucky 3, Wofford 0

No. 1 Kentucky swept Wofford 25-11, 25-19, 25-12

Final: Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0

No. 2 Arizona State swept Coppin State 25-11, 25-14, 25-12

Final: Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0

No. 3 Wisconsin swept Eastern Illinois 25-11, 25-6, 25-19

Final: Purdue 3, Wright State 0

No. 3 Purdue swept Wright State 25-13, 25-21, 25-19

Final: Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2

No. 3 Creighton swept Northern Colorado 12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15

Final: Kansas 3, High Point 0

No. 4 Kansas swept High Point 25-20, 25-15, 25-18

Final: Cal Poly 3, BYU 2

Cal Poly defeated No. 5 BYU 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10

Final: Utah State 3, Tennessee 2

Utah State defeated No. 7 Tennessee 25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11

Final: North Carolina 3, UTEP 1

North Carolina downed No. 6 UTEP 24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21

Final: Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2

No. 6 Northern Iowa defeated Utah 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10

Final: UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2

No. 8 UCLA defeated Georgia Tech 24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10

Final: Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2

No. 6 Baylor defeated Arkansas State 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10

Final: Miami 3, Tulsa 1

No. 5 Miami defeated Tulsa 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20

Final: Indiana 3, Toledo 0

No. 4 Indiana swept Toledo 25-18, 25-15, 25-17

Final: Colorado 3, American University 0

Colorado eliminated American 25-16, 25-19, 25-16

NCAA volleyball tournament automatic qualifiers

Here’s a look at the 31 teams that earned automatic berths to the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament by virtue of winning their conferences:

ACC: Stanford
American: Tulsa
American East: UMBC
Atlantic Sun: Central Arkansas
Atlantic 10: Loyola Chicago
Big East: Creighton
Big Sky: Northern Colorado
Big South: High Point
Big Ten: Nebraska
Big 12: Arizona State
Big West: Cal Poly
CAA: Campbell
Conference USA: Western Kentucky
Horizon: Wright State
Ivy: Princeton
MAAC: Fairfield
MAC: Toledo
MEAC: Coppin State
Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
Mountain West: Utah State
NEC: LIU
Ohio Valley: Eastern Illinois
Patriot: American
SEC: Kentucky
SoCon: Wofford
Southland: Stephen F. Austin
SWAC: Florida A&M
Summit: St. Thomas
Sun Belt: Arkansas State
WAC: Utah Valley
WCC: San Diego

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be followed three days later by the national championship game on Sunday, Dec. 21.

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

2024: Penn State
2023: Texas
2022: Texas
2021: Wisconsin
2020: Kentucky
2019: Stanford
2018: Stanford
2017: Nebraska
2016: Stanford
2015: Nebraska

For the full list of champions, click here.

A Power Four conference champion will be determined tonight — though depending on the result, the winner of the game may not come with a College Football Playoff berth.

The 2025 ACC football season will wrap up on Saturday, Dec. 6 with the league’s championship game between No. 16 Virginia (No. 17 CFP) and Duke taking place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Watch the ACC championship game on Fubo (free trial)

The Cavaliers have been one of the best stories in college football this season, with a 10-2 record after going just 11-23 in their previous three seasons under coach Tony Elliott. It’s Virginia’s first 10-win season since 1989. One of those victories came against its Saturday opponent: a 34-17 win against the Blue Devils on Nov. 15.

Duke is in the ACC championship game despite finishing just 7-5 in the regular season. A 6-2 record in conference play, however, sent it to Charlotte after a convoluted series of tiebreakers notably left out No. 13 Miami (No. 12 CFP).

If the Blue Devils manage to get a different result in the second matchup between the teams, it’s quite possible that the ACC will get left out of the 12-team playoff, which gives berths to the five highest-ranked conference champions. Duke wasn’t ranked in the latest top 25 from the playoff selection committee, putting it behind No. 25 James Madison, the Sun Belt champion.

USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along:

Virginia vs Duke score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Virginia vs Duke live updates

This section will be updated closer to kickoff.

Fourth quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Duke stops Virginia on fourth down, takes over

A huge play from a Duke defense that’s been uncharacteristically strong most of the night, with Chandler Morris sailing a pass high to Trell Harris in the end zone as Harris was covered by a pair of Duke defensive backs on fourth-and-5 from the Blue Devils’ 24-yard line.

Duke will take over at its own 24-yard line with 14:24 left in the game.

Third quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Virginia will start the fourth quarter with a third-and-9 at the Duke 28-yard line.

Duke pushes lead back to seven with FG

Duke stretches its lead back to seven with a field goal of its own, with Todd Pelino knocking through a 27-yard field goal after a six-play, 63-yard drive. Much of that yardage came on a 38-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Cooper Barkate that got the Blue Devils down to the Virginia 15-yard line after a face mask penalty was tacked on to the reception.

Duke had been set to go for a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 7, but a false start penalty knocked the Blue Devils back five yards. Manny Diaz opts for the sure three points, giving his team a 17-10 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Virginia cuts into Duke lead with FG

The Cavaliers get all the way down to the Blue Devils’ 2-yard line on their opening drive of the second half, but Duke’s defense stands tall from there, dropping Virginia for a 5-yard loss and then forcing Chandler Morris into an incompletion.

Still, the Cavaliers cap off a 17-play drive with a 24-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to get within four, 14-10, with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7

Duke holds a 14-7 lead over Virginia at halftime. The Blue Devils have a 170-115 advantage in total yards, with the Cavaliers running only 23 plays and Duke leading the time of possession battle 20:29-9:31.

Virginia is set to receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Duke punts

Duke goes three-and-out and punts away to Virginia, which will take over at its 30-yard line with 1:43 left.

Virginia punts

For the first time tonight, we have a punt. A Chandler Morris pass on third-and-9 from the Virginia 48-yard line falls incomplete and the Cavaliers opt to punt. The ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback, giving Duke the ball at its own 20 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.

Nate Sheppard TD run puts Duke back ahead of Virginia

Duke has another lengthy touchdown drive, this one going 75 plays in 13 plays in 8:02. It’s punctuated by a 16-yard Nate Sheppard touchdown run to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 lead with 6:14 left in the first half.

Duke yet again comes up with big plays with it needed them, converting on two fourth downs on the drive, one of which came on a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. It’s the Blue Devils’ third-consecutive game with a special teams fake for a first down.

Chandler Morris TD pass ties Virginia with Duke

Darian Mensah’s interception proves to be costly, turning what could have been a 14-point lead into a tie ballgame.

On a first-and-10 from the Duke 11-yard line, Chandler Morris dumps it off to running back J’Mari Taylor, who cuts and plows through the Blue Devils’ defense for a touchdown, tying the game after the extra point with 14:16 left in the first half.

End of first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0

Virginia has a second-and-1 at the Duke 14-yard line once the second quarter begins.

Darian Mensah INT gives Virginia ball back

Shortly after Duke benefits from a momentum swing, the Blue Devils give the ball right back. On a second-and-14 from the Duke 24-yard line, two plays after Virginia’s missed field goal, Darian Mensah throws an interception right to Cavaliers safety Corey Costner, who returns it to the Duke 23-yard line with 47 seconds left in the quarter.

Virginia misses FG

The Cavaliers have a nice response to Duke’s opening touchdown drive, getting as far as the Blue Devils’ 20-yard line. From there, though, they’re dropped for a 2-yard loss on a rushing attempt, Chandler Morris is brought down for a sack on third down and Will Bettridge misses a 45-yard field goal wide left.

Duke will take over at its own 28 with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Duke scores TD on first drive

After days of jokes about how it made the conference championship game, Duke showed on its first drive that it just might belong on this stage. The Blue Devils go 75 yards in 15 plays and 9:38, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah to Jeremiah Hasley.

It’s the longest opening drive by plays and time of possession in ACC Championship game history.

There were several instances on the possession that it seemed like Duke might not get any points, let alone seven. The Blue Devils faced four third-downs, converting three of them, and went for it on a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 41-yard line.

Pregame

How did Duke get into the ACC championship game?

Despite going 7-5 in the regular season, which included losses to Tulane and UConn, Duke finds itself 60 minutes away from a conference title. How, exactly, did the Blue Devils get there?

Even with its subpar overall mark, coach Manny Diaz’s team went 6-2 in conference play, putting it in a five-way tie for second place in the conference standings behind Virginia. Duke ended up getting the edge over the four other teams because of the ACC’s sixth tiebreaker: conference opponent record. Duke’s ACC opponents had a combined win percentage of .500, while Miami and Georgia Tech came in behind them at .438.

Virginia football injury updates

Here’s a look at the injury situation for Virginia heading into its ACC championship matchup against Duke, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

Out

CB #1 Dre Walker
WR #2 Andre Greene Jr.
LB #5 Kam Robinson
DB #7 Ja’Maric Morris
CB #9 Jam Jackson
TE #9 Dakota Twitty
QB #19 Grady Brosterhous
RB #20 Xavier Brown
RB #28 Noah Vaughn
S #38 Armstrong Jones
OL #54 Makilan Thomas
DL #56 Tyler Simmons
OL #56 Tyshawn Wyatt
OL #71 Monroe Mills
WR #80 Trevor Ladd

Game-time decision

WR #6 Cam Ross
WR #8 Jayden Thomas
OL #52 McKale Boley

Ross is the Hoos’ third-leading wide receiver this season, with 459 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Duke football injury updates

Here’s a look at the players who will be out for Duke in Saturday’s ACC championship game against Virginia, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

S #1 Terry Moore
CB #5 Kimari Robinson
DE #14 Bryce Davis
LB #24 Bradley Gompers
LB #31 Elliott Schaper
LB #36 Nick Morris Jr.
OL #52 Micah Sahakian
OL #73 Evan Scott
OL #78 Nathan Kutufaris

ACC championship game odds

Virginia is favored by -3.5 over Duke in the ACC championship game, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.

Who is calling the ACC championship game?

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be airing on ABC, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) on the call while Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor report from the sideline.

What time does Virginia vs Duke start?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Bank of American Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)

Virginia vs Duke will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What TV channel is Virginia vs Duke on today?

TV channel: ABC
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Virginia vs Duke predictions

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Sports: Duke 27, Virginia 24

The Blue Devils were handled by the Cavaliers in their regular-season matchup, but Virginia, for all of its success, has been inconsistent this season. With a better effort from quarterback Mensah this time around, Duke earns a tight win and potentially shuts the ACC out of the playoff.

Virginia football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Virginia’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Virginia 48, Coastal Carolina 7
Saturday, Sept. 6: NC State 35, Virginia 31
Saturday, Sept. 13: Virginia 55, Williams & Mary 16
Saturday, Sept. 20: Virginia 48, Stanford 20 *
Friday, Sept. 26: Virginia 46, Florida State 38 (2OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Virginia 22, Washington State 20
Saturday, Oct. 25: Virginia 17, North Carolina 16 (OT) *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Virginia 31, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: Wake Forest 16, Virginia 9 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 29: Virginia 27, Virginia Tech 7 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Duke football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Duke’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Thursday, Aug. 28: Duke 45, Elon 17
Saturday, Sept. 6: Illinois 45, Duke 19
Saturday, Sept. 13: Tulane 34, Duke 27
Saturday, Sept. 20: Duke 45, NC State 33 *
Saturday, Sept. 27: Duke 38, Syracuse 3 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Duke 45, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: Duke 46, Clemson 45 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: UConn 37, Duke 34
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Duke 32, North Carolina 25 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Duke 49, Wake Forest 32 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Indiana football receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is questionable to return to the Big Ten Conference Championship on Saturday, Dec. 6, after suffering a lower-body injury, according to the Fox broadcast.

Cooper Jr., a second-team All-Big Ten selection this season, suffered the injury after attempting to haul in a deep pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the first quarter against Ohio State. He exited the game and was shown entering the locker room shortly after.

The 6-foot junior has 58 receptions for 804 yards with 11 touchdowns this season, all of which lead the Hoosiers. He caught he miraculous game-winning touchdown against Penn State on Nov. 8.

Here’s everything to know of Cooper Jr.’s injury.

Omar Cooper Jr. injury update

Cooper Jr. left the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6 with an apparent lower-body injury, according to Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft.

Taft said the training staff was evaluating his right knee and right ankle in the medical tent before taking him to the locker room. The Fox broadcast showed the star Indiana receiver limping in the tunnel on his way to the locker room.

Cooper Jr. would be a huge loss for Indiana, as he leads the Hoosiers in receptions and receiving yards and is tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with fellow second-team All-Big Ten selection Elijah Sarratt.

This story will be updated.