At times, it has felt the Clemson Tigers have been cursed when it’s matter most over the past few seasons. Things changed Saturday night as the Tigers punched their ticket to the first 12-team College Football Playoff of the Playoff era.
While they didn’t make it look pretty, struggling offensively for most of the game outside of their 21-point first-quarter explosion, Clemson took down SMU 34 to 31 in the ACC Championship to earn the ACC’s automatic bid behind Nolan Hauser’s career-high 56-yard field goal. From what looked like another lost season to a trip to the College Football Playoff, this win could be astronomical for the program’s future outlook.
Now, Clemson can look toward a playoff and, possibly, with a bye. However, the Tigers still have a lot to figure out.
Clemson’s second-half offensive performance was poor, and they haven’t come close to putting together a complete game this season. That won’t fly in the playoffs.
This team needs to take advantage of the time off as they can make a statement and set themselves up for a brighter future.