ESPN analyst Sam Acho made bold predictions for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, shocking many by picking Clemson as the national champion.
Acho pointed to the Tigers’ improvement throughout the season as a reason for his pick, highlighting the development of younger players like receivers T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr., as well as quarterback Cade Klubnik. “They’ve gotten better,” Acho said during ESPN’s Championship Drive. Clemson learned from its rough opener against Georgia, where it trailed just 6-0 at halftime before being blown out.
Clemson (10-3) earned its playoff spot after edging SMU in the ACC Championship Game, securing the No. 12 seed. They’re set to face No. 5 seed Texas (11-2) in the first round on Dec. 21 in Austin. Despite being an 11-point underdog, Acho predicts Clemson will upset Texas and move on to face No. 4 Arizona State.
Acho believes Clemson’s playoff run won’t stop there. He sees the Tigers defeating Arizona State in the quarterfinals and then shocking top-seeded Oregon in the semifinals, citing standout linebacker Barrett Carter and cornerback Avieon Terrell as keys to Clemson’s success.
Acho’s bracket has Clemson meeting Georgia in the championship game, a rematch of their season opener where the Bulldogs dominated 34-3. This time, however, Acho expects Clemson to get its revenge and claim its third national title under Dabo Swinney.
“They snuck into the playoff, but Clemson is talented,” Acho explained. “This team can pull off upsets and surprise everyone.