ACC’s email blunder sparks Miami, Clemson controversy ahead of championship game
Last week, SMU secured their spot in the ACC Championship Game, set for Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a win over Virginia. Their place in the title game was locked in with enough conference wins. But, according to an email sent to subscribers on Friday, it seems the ACC already decided their opponent would be Clemson—even though that hasn’t been determined yet.
Saturday, Nov. 30, is shaping up to be a pivotal day for college football, with two critical ACC games on the schedule. No. 12 Clemson hosts No. 15 South Carolina in a non-conference rivalry matchup, while No. 6 Miami travels to Syracuse.
Though Clemson’s game against South Carolina doesn’t directly impact their ACC standing, the winner could position themselves for a College Football Playoff berth. However, Miami controls its destiny in the ACC race. If the Hurricanes beat Syracuse, they would secure their second-ever trip to the ACC Championship Game, while also keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The ACC’s email, promoting a 20% discount on championship tickets, raised eyebrows when it featured SMU and Clemson’s logos side by side, essentially naming the Tigers as the Mustangs’ opponent before Saturday’s games even kicked off.
The email the ACC just sent out… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/4kqFrv065k
— Nothing Witty (@JustinFezz) November 29, 2024
This major gaffe has sparked outrage among Miami fans on social media, many of whom are questioning the conference’s impartiality. Does the ACC already know the outcome of Miami’s game against Syracuse? Or was this simply a careless mistake that could cost someone their job?
The timing couldn’t be worse for the ACC, a conference already fighting for respect in the national conversation. The premature announcement has fueled speculation about potential bias, especially if Miami loses to Syracuse under controversial circumstances. Questionable officiating decisions have plagued college football this season, and any perceived missteps in Miami’s game could reignite claims of favoritism or even rigging by the conference.
On the field, Miami’s Cam Ward and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, two of the nation’s top passers, are set to square off in what promises to be a thrilling quarterback duel. The Hurricanes are favored by 11 points, but Syracuse has proven to be a tough opponent this season.
If Miami wins, the ACC will need to hope they’ve fixed their email issues before celebrating their championship matchup.