Clemson may be unranked in the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, but the Tigers are far better than people realize.
Sure, the Tigers have two losses, and both came in conference… but this team has the talent of a top-25 team and is getting better by the week. The eye test is one thing, and Clemson has passed that test more often than not this season, outside of some key mistakes that have led to their losses.
Analytically, Clemson remains one of the absolute best teams in the country. According to ESPN’s SP+($$$), they are the No.14. How could Clemson be ranked this high with two losses? Well, the numbers don’t lie.
SP+ is indeed intended to be predictive and forward-facing. It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is. It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.
When considering those parameters, it is clear to see why the Tigers are ranked so highly.
Take a look at Florida State’s ranking No.18, for example. Didn’t the Seminoles beat the Tigers? Everyone told me Jordan Travis and the Seminoles finally got over the hump and reclaimed the ACC?
While that’s partially true, it’s not the whole story. I truly don’t care who disagrees here. Clemson was the better team in their loss to Florida State, and they beat themselves FAR more than the Seminoles beat them. After reading that game and watching what people had to say, it seemed as if many people reporting on the game didn’t actually watch it.
Don’t get me wrong, a loss is a loss, and that was a massive win for Mike Norvell and FSU… but that doesn’t change 1) What we watched and 2) What the numbers say.
Trust me, I know fans would prefer to be in Florida State’s position where, sure, they rank No.18 in the SP+, but they rank top five nationally in both polls and are undefeated with a chance at a college football playoff. I’m not stupid; that’s a no-brainer.
It’s more about people understanding the Clemson roster’s talent and how much better they are than MANY have perceived. This is close to a near-elite team that has floundered in a couple of big moments.
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers may not be in the conversation for a National Championship. Still, they have a lot of season left to prove themselves.