It is not a surprise that the postseason outlook for Clemson football continues to improve, as the Tigers surge all the way to No. 12 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings off of a dominant 51-14 win over The Citadel.
That’s from a No. 23 debut on Nov. 5, a steady rise which underscores their late-season resurgence. Though an early season upset loss to Louisville, Clemson has won three in a row since that setback, keeping them in the discussion for an at-large spot in the first-ever 12-team playoff format.
The new playoff system allows byes to the top four conference champions, while the other eight teams, which include at-large selections, play in the first round. Clemson is battling teams such as Alabama, Ole Miss, and Tennessee for a playoff spot. Metrics-wise, Clemson ranks 12th in game control and 18th in strength of record but are lagging in strength of schedule at 57th.
Saturday’s home game against archrival South Carolina (noon, ESPN) is critical to Clemson’s postseason ambitions. A win could cement its case, and the Tigers also need Syracuse to upset Miami to get to the ACC Championship Game. If those dominoes fall, Clemson could find itself in playoff contention when the selection process unfolds.
The late-season run by the Tigers fits the program’s history of playoff success, but there is also plenty of competition for a bid. Other contenders, like Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss, have more impressive schedules working against Clemson’s case for an at-large bid. This year’s inaugural 12-team playoff does, however, afford the Tigers a unique chance to re-establish themselves in the national landscape.
1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Penn State
5. Notre Dame
6. Miami
7. Georgia
8. Tennessee
9. SMU
10. Indiana
11. Boise State
12. Clemson
13. Alabama
14. Ole Miss
15. South Carolina
16. Arizona State
17. Tulane
18. Iowa State
19. BYU
20. Texas A&M
21. Missouri
22. UNLV
23. Illinois
24. Kansas State
25. Colorado