Duke returns to the ACC Championship Game for just the second time in program history tonight, facing No. 17 Virginia under the primetime lights at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ABC, with streaming on WatchESPN. Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor have the call.
It’s a rematch of Virginia’s 34-17 win in Durham on Nov. 15 — and a chance for the Blue Devils to flip the script on the biggest stage the ACC offers.
Game Vitals
- Matchup: Duke vs. (17) Virginia
- Event: 2025 ACC Championship Game
- Location: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, NC
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Line: Virginia -4.5
- Over/Under: 57.5
How Duke Got Here
Duke emerged from a five-team logjam to clinch a championship berth via ACC tiebreakers after finishing 6-2 in league play. The Blue Devils collected six ACC wins for just the fourth time in program history, joining the storied 1962, 1989 and 2013 teams.
Duke’s only other ACC Championship game appearance came in 2013. A win would mark the program’s first conference title since 1989 — and would set a new program record for wins in a four-year span with 34 from 2022-25.
Virginia, meanwhile, arrives after a surprising 7-1 conference slate (10-2 overall) and is making its second trip to the ACC title game. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series with Duke 42-34 and have won nine of the past 10 meetings.
The First Meeting: Virginia 34, Duke 17
The teams met just three weeks ago, when Virginia built a commanding 31-3 lead before Duke mounted a late push. The Blue Devils cut the deficit to 31-17 with 9:30 remaining but couldn’t finish the comeback.
Duke hasn’t beaten the Cavaliers since a 38-17 win in Durham in 2022.
Lock in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/aDeTuWjwRA — Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) December 6, 2025
Blue Devils to Watch
QB Darian Mensah
- 3,450 passing yards — second-most in Duke single-season history
- 28 touchdown passes — breaks Duke’s single-season record
- 7:1 TD–INT ratio
- Zero interceptions in ACC play
Mensah has been the offensive engine behind Duke’s climb into the title race, controlling games with efficiency and protecting the football.
RB Nate Sheppard
- 865 rushing yards — Duke freshman record
- 9 rushing touchdowns — Duke freshman record
- 30 receptions — most ever by a Duke freshman RB
The Louisiana native has become a consistent spark, giving Duke a balanced threat as Mensah surveys the field.
What’s at Stake
For Duke
A victory would give the Blue Devils:
- Their first ACC football title since 1989
- A program-record 34 wins over four seasons
- One of the most improbable championship runs in modern ACC history
But it could also unleash College Football Playoff chaos. Because the playoff awards automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions, a Duke win could put the ACC at risk of missing the CFP entirely — a potential national storyline by midnight. American champ Tulane and Sun Belt champ James Madison, which could stand to benefit from a Duke victory, will be watching intently.
For Virginia
The Cavaliers look to secure their first ACC crown and strengthen their CFP position after a breakthrough 10-win season.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the ACC Championship Game anyone predicted back in August — but it’s one that now holds national implications. Duke arrives with momentum, record-setting play from Mensah and Sheppard, and a shot at rewriting program history. Virginia brings consistency, a top-20 ranking and a recent win over the Blue Devils.
If Duke lands early punches and protects the football, this rematch might not look much like the November meeting. And if the Blue Devils walk out of Charlotte as champions? The entire playoff picture could be flipped on its head.
🚨🏈 ACC Fan Fest: Romare Bearden Park 🏈🚨
(#Duke vs. #Virginia, 8 p.m., ABC, for #ACC title)
If you see me there today (~1-5 p.m.), please say hello‼️
(I'll be wearing warm @TheNCSportsNet gear.)
We may put you in one of our videos. 🎉🎙️🥳🍾https://t.co/0HpamBpjgL https://t.co/kug9DWEHoy pic.twitter.com/WKAXuj6gBW — David Glenn Show (@DavidGlennShow) December 6, 2025
