Path to the College Football Playoff, Step 4
Beat Notre Dame
Oh sure, beating Louisville and Virginia won’t be without its charm, and getting by Florida State would get a headline in the national papers, but any team worthy of even thinking about the College Football Playoff should be 8-0 with this schedule.
And then comes November 7th against Notre Dame.
It’s a massive game, but it might not be the end of the world if the Tigers lose – at least respectably.
Again, the first eight games are all winnable, and the final three against The Citadel, at Wake Forest and South Carolina shouldn’t be a problem. However, beat what should be a nasty Irish team, and that should all but end any worries about getting into the CFP. That would be the buffer in case there’s a misfire anywhere else, including in the ACC Championship.
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It’s still way early, but unlike last year – when Clemson failed to beat a single team in its first 12 games that finished in the top 25, and Virginia finished 25th in the Coaches Poll – Louisville, Virginia, Florida State, and – don’t laugh, really – NC State and South Carolina should/could all at least flirt with time spent in the various rankings.
It’ll be a stronger schedule, and that’s a good thing for the Tigers.
If Notre Dame beats Wisconsin and a likely-improved Stanford on the way to 8-0, it’ll be in the top five when the showdown in South Bend is on.
That’s another good thing for the Tigers. All they need to do is …