I admit, I'm tempted to rattle off a chart with 64 Coastal Division scenarios.
But that's incredibly complicated, and won't really amount to much anyway since there are plenty more games that matter.
So here's the easiest way for each of the lingering teams in the Coastal Division to roll into Tampa to play either Maryland, Florida State or Boston College on Dec. 6.
As the only two-loss team left in the division, the Hurricanes need only defeat Georgia Tech and N.C. State to secure a spot in the title game. The Hurricanes hold head-to-head tiebreakers against Virginia and Virginia Tech.
NORTH CAROLINA
Still in it despite today's loss to Maryland, the Tar Heels need to defeat N.C. State and Duke to have any prayer. They also need losses by Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Each of those teams have two games left, with Virginia and Virginia Tech meeting in Blacksburg in two weeks.
VIRGINIA TECH
Two victories (at home against Duke and Virginia) plus a Miami loss at Georgia Tech will get the job done.
A three-way tie at 5-3 (VT-MIA-GT) leads to a look at the round-robin --- an even split. The next issue would be division record. The Hokies would be 4-1, the Hurricanes 3-2 and the Yellow Jackets 2-3. Advantage Hokies.
A four-way tie at 5-3 (VT-MIA-GT-UNC) leads to a look at the round-robin --- Virginia Tech and Carolina are both 2-1. That in turn makes the Hokies' victory over the Tar Heels the difference-maker.
VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers must win out to get to 5-3. Toss in two Miami losses, and it doesn't matter if there's a two-way tie (with GT) or three-way tie (with GT and UNC) --- the Cavaliers beat both and would head to Tampa.
GEORGIA TECH
The Yellow Jackets must defeat Miami. They also need losses by North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech to overcome what would be a 2-3 division record.
--- Patrick Stevens
