The Virginia Cavaliers moved up to 12th in the latest Associated Press Poll on Sunday, marking the program’s highest ranking since 2004. On Tuesday night, the ‘Hoos made history again. This time, reaching the school’s best mark in the College Football Playoff committee rankings, slotting in as the 14th-ranked team in the country.
If the CFP were today, the ‘Hoos would be officially in the field of 12 as the 11th seed playing a road game against sixth-seeded Ole Miss, being that they are currently the fourth-highest presumptive conference champion as the top team in the ACC, as things stand right now.
Tuesday’s ranking marks the fourth time the ‘Hoos have earned a spot in CFP committee’s rankings. 2018 saw UVA make the program’s inaugural appearance in the rankings at 25, while appearances at 23, then 24 in 2019 round out the only other instances where UVA’s been included.
Four other ACC teams found spots in the rankings in Louisville, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Pittsburgh. It’s been well documented to this point that the Cavaliers won’t see Georgia Tech, Miami, or Pitt in the home stretch of the regular season, but could have a huge opportunity against one of them in a potential ACC title game clash, should the ‘Hoos punch a ticket to Charlotte. UVA owns a head-to-head tiebreaker over Louisville after the 30-27 overtime win in early-October, with the committee rightfully taking that result into account, placing the Cardinals just behind the ‘Hoos as the 15th-ranked team.
UVA’s road to the CFP is straightforward as of now. Win out, and you’re in. The ‘Hoos boast a 79% chance to beat Wake Forest this Saturday, followed by 42% to win at Duke, and 80% at home against Virginia Tech, per ESPN’s FPI, and control their own destiny to get to the ACC title game slated for the first week of December.
A win in the ACC championship gets UVA into the field of 12 for certain, according to the committee’s rankings tonight, obviously. At the same time, a loss in that game would complicate things for the ‘Hoos as a potential 11-2 team hoping for an at-large bid, possibly creating a decision for the committee to make similar to choosing between SMU and Alabama last season.
The committee is set to unveil a new version of these rankings at the start of each week for the remainder of the season, and we’ll continue to have you covered as UVA’s quest for a playoff spot rolls on.
