CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Manny Diaz did not hold back when it came to making Duke football 's case to be in the College Football Playoff after claiming the 2025 ACC championship.

"The ACC Conference champion should go to the college football playoffs this year and every year," Diaz said following Duke 's ACC title win over Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The Blue Devils (8-5) defeated the Cavaliers 27-20 in overtime to win the conference title, marking Duke's first outright ACC title since 1962 and eighth overall. However, a bid to the CFP is not guaranteed despite the win, as only the five highest-ranked conference champions earn automatic bids.

Perhaps the biggest roadblock in Duke's way to the CFP is No. 25 James Madison. The Dukes (12-1) won the Sun Belt Conference on Friday, Dec. 5, with a

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