Ranking Duke’s Schedule Difficulty Among ACC Contenders

There is still plenty of time for ACC teams to make a push for the top two spots in the conference, with the hope of earning a bid to play in the ACC Championship in December.

The winner of that contest will earn an automatic bid and a bye in the College Football Playoff.

With all of that in mind, here are the rankings of each contender's remaining schedule from toughest to easiest.

Pittsburgh

Oct. 25 - vs. North Carolina State (4-3, 1-2)

Nov. 1 - at Stanford (3-4, 2-2)

Nov. 15 - vs. Notre Dame (5-2)

Nov. 22 - at Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0)

Nov. 29 - vs. Miami (5-1,1-1)

Oct 18, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Kenny Johnson (2) runs with the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

This is an absolute gauntlet of a final five weeks, which includes three teams currently ranked in the top 12. Excluding Notre Dame, which is an independent program, Pittsburgh’s remaining opponents are a combined 19-8.

SMU

Oct 4, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs wide receiver Jordan Hudson (2) runs with the ball during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Oct. 25 - at Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2)

Nov. 1 - vs. Miami (5-1, 1-1)

Nov. 8 - at Boston College (1-6, 0-4)

Nov. 22 - vs. Louisville (5-1, 2-1)

Nov. 29 - at California (5-2, 2-1)

Oct 4, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr. (8) in front of Syracuse Orange tight end Daunte Bacheyie (19) during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Mustangs have their work cut out for them, as they face two currently ranked teams in the country, which include Miami and Louisville. Fortunately for SMU, both of those games are at home, but their remaining opponents’ combined record is 20-12.

California

Oct. 24 - at Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2)

Nov. 1 - vs. Virginia (6-1, 3-0)

Nov. 8 - at Louisville (5-1, 2-1)

Nov. 22 - at Stanford (3-4, 2-2)

Nov. 29 - vs. SMU (5-2, 3-0)

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) throws against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

California plays against two ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks before closing out its season against SMU, which is currently tied for second in the ACC. Facing three teams with at least five wins could be too much to overcome for the Golden Bears.

Duke

Nov. 1 - at Clemson (3-4, 2-2)

Nov. 8 - at UCONN (5-2)

Nov. 15 - vs. Virginia (6-1, 3-0)

Nov. 22 - at North Carolina (2-4, 0-2)

Nov. 29 - vs. Wake Forest 4-2, 1-2)

Sep 20, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Cooper Barkate (18) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the NC State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils have only two games remaining on their schedule against formidable opponents, which are Clemson and Virginia. Other than that, Duke should be able to coast through the rest of this slate. Duke’s opponents for the rest of the season are a combined 17-9.

Virginia

Oct. 25 - at North Carolina (2-4, 0-2)

Nov. 1 - at California (5-2, 2-1)

Nov. 8 - vs. Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2)

Nov. 15 - at Duke (4-3, 3-1)

Nov. 29 - vs. Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2)

Oct 12, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Grady Brosterhous (19) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

This schedule is somewhat tricky based on the fact that the Cavaliers have three road games remaining, including at Duke. There are no current ranked opponents on the slate, and Virginia’s remaining opponents are a combined 17-16.

Miami

Oct. 25 - vs. Stanford (3-4, 2-2)

Nov. 1 - at SMU (5-2, 3-0)

Nov. 8 - vs. Syracuse (3-4, 1-3)

Nov. 15 - vs. North Carolina State (4-3, 1-2)

Nov. 22 - at Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2)

Nov. 29 - at Pittsburgh (5-2, 3-1)

Oct 17, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) handoffs the ball to running back Jordan Lyle (2) against the Louisville Cardinals during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Hurricanes do not have an excuse for winning fewer than three games out of the remaining five. Miami has the best roster and quarterback in every game on this slate. This is a light schedule that does not feature a single ranked opponent.

Georgia Tech

Oct. 25 - vs. Syracuse (3-4, 1-3)

Nov. 1 - at North Carolina State (4-3, 1-2)

Nov. 15 - at Boston College (1-6, 0-4)

Nov. 22 - vs. Pittsburgh (5-2, 3-1)

Nov. 28 - vs. Georgia (6-1, 4-1)

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) hands off the ball to running back Malachi Hosley (0) during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Excluding Georgia, who is an out-of-conference opponent (SEC), Georgia Tech’s remaining schedule consists of opponents with a combined 13-15. That is a middling pack of teams, which the Yellow Jackets should have no trouble against.

Louisville

Oct. 25 - vs. Boston College (1-6, 0-4)

Nov. 1 - at Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2)

Nov. 8 - vs. California (5-2, 2-1)

Nov. 14 - vs. Clemson (3-4, 2-2)

Nov. 22 - at SMU (5-2, 3-0)

Nov. 29 - vs. Kentucky (2-4, 0-4)

Oct 17, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Keelan Marion (0) carries the football against Louisville Cardinals linebacker Kalib Perry (12) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Cardinals may have the easiest schedule from here on out when juxtaposing it to what the rest of the contenders in the ACC have to deal with. The combined record of the remaining slate, excluding Kentucky, is 18-17.

As always, make sure you stay up to date with all Duke content by following us on Facebook, by clicking HERE and following us on X (formerly Twitter) HERE