Manny Diaz did not hide behind the moment. Duke had just won its first outright ACC championship in more than six decades, sealing it with a fourth-down throw in overtime, and a Luke Mergott interception that will live in program lore. The celebration was deserved. The uncertainty was unavoidable. And Diaz knew exactly where the conversation was headed.
The College Football Playoff.
More specifically, James Madison.
“They have new information,” Diaz said. “No one should make a decision based off incomplete information.” Then he went straight to the comparison everyone wanted to dance around. “Comparing us to James Madison, for example, who had a fantastic season, their schedule strength is in the hundreds. Ours is somewhere in the 50s. Seven power-four wins as opposed to zero power-four wins. Zero and one versus the ACC as opposed to seven wins in the ACC and ACC champions.”
Diaz had watched JMU fight Troy’s backup quarterback and padded the outcome late. He understood how the narrative would shift, how records would be flattened into talking points. But he wasn’t letting anyone ignore reality.
“You just can’t compare going through the Sun Belt this year,” he said. “Most of their top teams are just having down years. Sometimes that happens.”
MORE: Bob Chesney delivers a powerful playoff message after James Madison captures the Sun Belt
He made the call plainly: “The ACC conference champion should go to the College Football Playoff this year and every year.”
He knew Duke might be passed over anyway. He knew the brand bias that still shapes the sport. And still he delivered the closing line that defined his entire night.
“We earned our way to being ACC champions,” Diaz said. “And that should matter.”
More college football news:
- Will Stein has a bold vision for Kentucky
- Brian Hartline sends a message to Chris Henry Jr. After choosing Ohio State
- Tavita Pritchard comes home to Stanford with a message of ‘belief and brotherhood’