In the last two weeks Miami, Virginia Tech and Duke appeared to be the strongest candidates to represent the Coastal Division in the ACC championship game.
But on Monday, another team slipped past them all when Miami took itself out of the running with another self-imposed bowl ban.
Georgia Tech will face No. 10 Florida State on Dec. 1 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Yellow Jackets (6-5, 5-3 ACC) put themselves back in the picture with three consecutive victories in which they outscored Maryland, North Carolina and Duke by a combined 143-87. Georgia Tech concludes its regular season Saturday at No. 3 Georgia.
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has not faced Georgia Tech as a head coach. Fisher, though, had not thought much about the title-game ramifications of UM’s decision considering the stakes that are involved in Saturday’s showdown against No. 6 Florida. Both teams will bring 10-1 records and top-10 positions in all the polls and BSC standings into Doak Campbell Stadium.
“If that’s what they think is best for them, that’s what they should do,” Fisher said about Miami. “We’re not every worried about that because we have a huge Florida game. Georgia Tech will be great opponent. They’ve had a great year.”
The Seminoles beat Miami 33-20 one month ago at Sun Life Stadium.
The Hurricanes and North Carolina both are 4-3 and would finish in a tie with Georgia Tech in the Coastal Division with wins Saturday against Duke and Maryland, respectively. Neither, though, is eligible for the postseason.
Against common opponents with FSU, Georgia Tech lost to Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson, all teams the Seminoles beat. Both teams beat Boston College, Maryland and Duke.
Although Florida State’s chances of playing in the national championship game are remote, the Seminoles have a lot to play for. FSU would finish with the most wins in school history (13) and a likely top-5 ranking if it wins its final three games.
“We want to finish strong,” quarterback EJ Manuel said. “We don’t want to let down.”
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