Wake Forest, SMU set for ACC playoff showdown

Wake Forest strengthened the ACC’s case for multiple College Football Playoff bids with a 49-7 road rout of SMU, extending its six-game winning streak and outscoring opponents 313-38 since October began. The Demon Deacons’ surge gives the conference a second strong playoff contender alongside Miami, whose recent wins have been less convincing despite its high ranking. Miami’s game against Duke also carried major conference-title implications: a Hurricanes win, combined with losses by Louisville and either Clemson or SMU, would clinch Miami a place in the ACC Championship Game.