Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, took to Twitter on Sunday with her top four following Week 6 of the season. Dinich has Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) at No. 4, behind Alabama at No. 3, Georgia at No. 2 and Ohio State at No. …
Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, took to Twitter on Sunday with her top four following Week 6 of the season.
Dinich has Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) at No. 4, behind Alabama at No. 3, Georgia at No. 2 and Ohio State at No. 1.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 49-20 beatdown of Michigan State in East Lansing, while Georgia routed Auburn, 42-10, in Athens.
Alabama survived a late scare from Texas A&M to win a 24-20 thriller in Tuscaloosa, and of course, Clemson took care of business at Boston College, winning 31-3.
Clemson will be on the road again this week when the Tigers face Florida State. Kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
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ESPN college football analyst Heather Dinich has changed where the Tigers are in her top four after this week’s games. The Tigers are making a move in the right direction. “No. 1 is Ohio State, No. 2 is Alabama, No. 3 is Georgia and for the first …
ESPN college football analyst Heather Dinich has changed where the Tigers are in her top four after this week’s games. The Tigers are making a move in the right direction.
“No. 1 is Ohio State, No. 2 is Alabama, No. 3 is Georgia and for the first time this season No. 4 is Clemson,” Dinich said on ESPN’s morning show Get Up. “I have Clemson over USC and Michigan because they just beat back to back ranked opponents in the Atlantic Division and they finally played a complete game. To me it is two things. Who did you beat and what did you look like in the process. That is what the selection committee does too.”
Two weeks ago Dinich was not buying into Clemson. Now they have sold Dinich?
“To this point yes. but look if your rankings don’t change every week you are not doing it right. This is why the selection committee’s rankings don’t come out until November 1 because it should be fluid. Michigan should have a chance to move into the top four. But to me, to this point, resume wise and with DJ Uiagalelei playing so much better, the defense playing better, a complete performance against a top 25 team,” said Dinich.
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On ESPN’s Championship Drive: College Football Rewind that aired this past weekend, Heather Dinich – who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN – discussed fifth-ranked Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) coming off its 30-20 win over then-No. 10 NC State …
On ESPN’s Championship Drive: College Football Rewind that aired this past weekend, Heather Dinich — who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN — discussed fifth-ranked Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) coming off its 30-20 win over then-No. 10 NC State on Saturday night at Death Valley.
Dinich spoke about Dabo Swinney’s coordinator hires to replace Tony Elliott and Brent Venables, and she mentioned DJ Uiagalelei’s improvement this season in his second year as the Tigers’ starting quarterback.
“There were a lot of questions, but Dabo stuck to his guns with the inside hires for both the offensive and defensive coordinators, who came into this season having never called plays or anything of the sort,” Dinich said. “But DJ Uiagalelei deserves a lot of credit for the strides that he’s made from last season to this season.”
Dinich also touched on the Tigers’ playoff outlook after Week 5 of the season.
“With the win, Clemson now has the tiebreaker (in the ACC Atlantic Division) over both Wake Forest and NC State,” Dinich noted. “They’ve got to be really careful about a tricky road trip coming at Florida State in two weeks (on Oct. 15), and don’t forget, they also travel to South Bend for a game against Notre Dame (on Nov. 5).
“But if Clemson can finish with one loss or undefeated, they’re certainly in the top four. But what if USC does the same thing? Notre Dame is a common opponent, so look for that fourth spot to possibly be a debate.”
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Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined ESPN’s “Get Up” show to discuss Clemson’s College Football Playoff hopes should it lose to NC State on Saturday. Finebaum was asked if he has more questions or answers about the Tigers (4-0, 2-0 ACC) right …
Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined ESPN’s “Get Up” show to discuss Clemson’s College Football Playoff hopes should it lose to NC State on Saturday.
Finebaum was asked if he has more questions or answers about the Tigers (4-0, 2-0 ACC) right now.
“Well, everything is just backed up and screwed up, because the defense is not as good and the offense with DJ (Uiagalelei) is much better,” he said. “And you have to start wondering what the difference has been with Brent Venables having left. He was the stalwart of that defense at Clemson. Now he’s at Oklahoma, struggling there after a loss (to Kansas State) over the weekend. So, I think that’s really the issue.
“And as far as what happens after this, they would be in big trouble if they can’t get a win at home.”
Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, was then asked what she thinks.
“Well if they don’t win, they’re going to be hanging from a cliff as far as the playoff is concerned, and so is the entire ACC,” Dinich said.
“But I agree with Paul. When you watch that game against Wake Forest, it was a gritty win. I thought it was very good for Clemson and put them in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic Division. But here’s the thing – I watched that game and I saw Wake Forest receivers do that against Clemson’s secondary, and my question was, what happens to Clemson’s secondary if they play Ohio State? Because that’s where I was, watching the Buckeyes beat up on Wisconsin.”
Clemson’s game against NC State (4-0, 0-0) at Death Valley on Saturday is slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
“If they don’t win [this weekend], they’re going to be hanging from a cliff as far as the playoff is concerned, and so is the entire ACC.” pic.twitter.com/mtzCTrho6R
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Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, recently wrote an article breaking down playoff contenders into tiers heading into October. Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC) is among the teams listed under Tier 2 – “undefeated blue bloods …
Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC) is among the teams listed under Tier 2 — “undefeated blue bloods battling for No. 4,” or the final playoff spot.
Dinich broke down the Tigers, highlighting their best September win (Saturday’s 51-45, double-overtime victory at Wake Forest) and their toughest test ahead (the Nov. 5 game at Notre Dame), as well as what the CFP selection committee will consider with Clemson.
Here’s an excerpt of what Dinich wrote regarding that:
Undefeated Clemson is in, but one loss opens the door for debate, even with an ACC title. As thrilling as Clemson’s win was Saturday, its secondary was outplayed repeatedly. How would the unit match up against Ohio State’s wide receivers? Clemson has a fearsome defensive front, and it’s clear quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is playing with more confidence and in turn more accuracy, but the Tigers still have to face NC State and travel to Florida State, two of the more difficult Atlantic Division games. If two SEC teams finish in the top four again, and the Big Ten champion earns a spot, the ACC champion will have to win a debate against the Big 12 and Pac-12 champions (or maybe a second Big Ten team). Would one-loss Clemson usurp one-loss USC or Oklahoma? It’s certainly possible, especially if the Tigers look the part.
Michigan and Southern Cal are the other two teams that Dinich has in Tier 2, while she has Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State in Tier 1 — “the clear front-runners.”
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined the network’s Get Up show to discuss the latest in college football. Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, was asked what’s at stake for Clemson this weekend and what happens if the …
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined the network’s Get Up show to discuss the latest in college football.
Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, was asked what’s at stake for Clemson this weekend and what happens if the fifth-ranked Tigers lose their game at No. 21 Wake Forest (Saturday, noon ET on ABC).
“If Clemson loses this game, then the ACC’s place in the College Football Playoff becomes in jeopardy immediately,” Dinich said. “Because when you look at them, they (would) need help then to win the Atlantic Division, and their schedule isn’t great. They need Notre Dame and South Carolina to finish with respectable seasons in the CFP’s top 25. Because you’ve got USC out there, you’ve got maybe Texas, other Power Five conference champions with potentially better resumes.”
Finebaum was then asked the question, how good is Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC)?
“They’re still a mystery,” he said. “They haven’t really done anything yet. … If they lose this game, it’s over. I don’t care what South Carolina does. I don’t care what Notre Dame does. Just cross off the ACC. Say a prayer for them.”
To clarify that statement, Finebaum was asked if he’s saying the entire ACC’s College Football Playoff hopes ride on Clemson and the result of Saturday’s game in Winston-Salem.
“They are the best team in the conference,” Finebaum said. “I know Wake Forest went to the championship game last year, and they played Pittsburgh. Clemson really is their shot. North Carolina’s still cobbling a season together. But I’m just saving the folks in the back room the research probabilities. Don’t worry about it. Clemson loses, move on.”
Dinich then questioned Finebaum regarding whether the Tigers are in fact the best team in the ACC.
“Are they the best team in the conference? Because I haven’t seen anything yet that shows that,” she said. “They’ve been beating up on teams with the last name ‘Tech’ so far. They have a lot of questions, in my mind. They might not win this game. That’s why we’re having this conversation.”
–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
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Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, recently published an article on “College Football Playoff questions for five teams after three weeks” of the season. Her question for Clemson: Is Clemson ready to return to the CFP? …
Her question for Clemson: Is Clemson ready to return to the CFP?
“Not if it continues to let unheralded teams like Louisiana Tech hang around,” Dinich wrote.
Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) opened the season with a 41-10 win over Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, then took care of business in back-to-back home victories over Furman (35-12) and Louisiana Tech (48-20).
However, Dinich wrote that Clemson has “looked vulnerable” through the first three games of the 2022 campaign, citing the Tigers’ poor start offensively against Georgia Tech, a subpar defensive showing against an FCS opponent in Furman and the fact they led Louisiana Tech by just seven points at halftime as reasons why they’ve looked that way.
Dinich says that with the SEC having a pair of playoff contenders in Alabama and Georgia, and the Big Ten possibly having a couple in Ohio State and Michigan, Clemson could miss out on the fourth playoff spot if Bama, UGA and the Big Ten champ are in, and if the Big 12 and Pac-12 have conference champs with better résumés.
“Clemson entered Week 3 with the No. 103 schedule strength, and Notre Dame and South Carolina haven’t done anything to help it,” Dinich wrote. “The Tigers need the selection committee to rank a handful of their opponents in the CFP top 25, and Clemson has to clearly assert itself in those games as the better team. No. 19 Wake Forest was fortunate to beat Liberty 37-36 on Saturday, while No. 13 Miami lost on the road to Texas A&M. NC State helped the ACC with its win against Texas Tech.”
Added Dinich: “While there are several teams capable of winning the ACC, the league is at its best when Clemson is too, and the Tigers have yet to convince their critics they’re ready for a return to the CFP.”
Up next for Clemson is Saturday’s game at Wake Forest (No. 16 Coaches Poll, No. 21 AP Top 25). The game will kick off at noon ET on ABC.
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Heather Dinich, who covers the College Football Playoff for ESPN, recently published an article on strengths, weaknesses and stats to know for college football’s playoff contenders (subscription required). For Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC), the stat Dinich …
For Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC), the stat Dinich pointed out is that in the CFP era (since 2014), the Tigers have made the playoff all six times in seasons which they began 2-0 (2015-20). Dinich noted that the Tigers missed the playoff in 2014 and 2021, when they didn’t begin 2-0 in those campaigns.
Dinich also gave a reason for optimism and reason for concern regarding Clemson, pointing to DJ Uiagalelei showing improvement and Will Shipley being a reliable running back to help Uiagalelei out as the reason for optimism.
“Uiagalelei’s 231 passing yards against Furman were his highest total in his past five games,” Dinich wrote. “Shipley became Clemson’s first player over the past 25 years to score multiple rushing touchdowns in each of the first two games of a season.”
As for the reason for concern, Dinich cited Clemson’s inabilty to play a complete game thus far this season against two lesser opponents in Georgia Tech and Furman.
“Against Georgia Tech, Clemson’s first four drives resulted in a trio of three-and-outs and one turnover,” she wrote. “Saturday, Clemson’s defense allowed FCS Furman 384 total yards.”
Dinich says we’ll know in mid-October whether the Tigers can contend for the national title.
“Following the Oct. 15 game at Florida State, Clemson will have established its place in the Atlantic Division race, and if the Tigers can finish as one-loss or undefeated ACC champions, the program and the league can reassert itself in the national picture,” Dinich wrote. “A win at Notre Dame on Nov. 5 won’t help Clemson if the Irish don’t pull it together and finish in the CFP top 25, but a loss would be costly if Clemson doesn’t win the ACC or loses to South Carolina.”
Strengths, weaknesses and stats to know for college football's playoff contenders https://t.co/hiE2XAv2W4
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Oklahoma one of 20 teams with a shot to make the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN.
A wise man once said, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” That rings true as the college football world begins its journey to crown a national champion. Before that happens, there are many games, upsets, lofty expectations, and underachievers to sort thru along the way.
Oklahoma enters the season with an 11.3% chance to make the College Football Playoff and Dinich considers the toughest test for the Sooners their October 8 neutral site matchup with the Texas Longhorns.
What the committee will like: A more balanced team. With offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby reuniting with quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and a veteran defensive staff in coach Brent Venables and coordinator Ted Roof, Oklahoma could be progressing toward a more complete team despite the offensive star power it lost.
What the committee won’t like: Unconvincing wins against unheralded opponents. Last fall, OU beat Tulane 40-35. It needed a last-second field goal to beat West Virginia at home. And the Sooners trailed Kansas by double digits twice. Not every game has to be a lopsided win, but OU has to leave no doubt it’s the better team against unranked opponents. – Dinich, ESPN
Oklahoma checks in with the eighth-best chance to make the playoffs according to the Football Power Index. They come in behind expected contenders Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia. In the tier below them sit Notre Dame, Clemson, Michigan, and Red River rival Texas all with better percentages to make the CFP.
The Red River Showdown could have postseason implications yet again, if Texas enters that game with only one loss (Alabama) or if they somehow enter it undefeated.
2022 sets the Sooners up for a little revenge as Baylor and Oklahoma State enter the season as top 25 programs with their sites set on winning the Big 12. Those matchups could be the difference in Oklahoma competing for the Big 12 title and, with the right record and fortune elsewhere, a CFP playoff spot.
We’re a long way out to the first College Football Playoff rankings. The weeks leading up to the first release will be about building a resume that will stand out. For the Sooners, it’s about winning, and as long as they do that, everything else will take care of itself.
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ESPN published an article this week on the 20 teams that can make the College Football Playoff this season (subscription required), with ESPN Senior Writer Heather Dinich taking a closer look at this year’s CFP contenders, according to the Allstate …
ESPN published an article this week on the 20 teams that can make the College Football Playoff this season (subscription required), with ESPN Senior Writer Heather Dinich taking a closer look at this year’s CFP contenders, according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.
That playoff predictor gives Clemson (10-3, 6-2 ACC in 2021) a 58.2 percent chance to make the playoff and a 10.4 percent chance to win the national title.
Dinich dove into the Tigers, breaking down their toughest test this season and what the CFP committee will like and won’t like about Clemson.
As for the toughest test, it’s no surprise that Dinich pointed to the Tigers’ Nov. 5 road tilt at Notre Dame.
“Winning the Atlantic Division isn’t going to be easy — especially with back-to-back games against Wake Forest and NC State, though the Tigers get the Pack at home,” Dinich wrote. “The trip to South Bend will trump both of those, though ESPN’s FPI still gives Clemson a 60% chance to win.”
Regarding what Dinich thinks the CFP committee would like about Clemson, she cited a perfect 4-0 record in nonconference play.
She thinks if the Tigers can accomplish that, then they could still make the playoff, even with one loss and possibly even if they don’t win the Atlantic Division.
“If Clemson can snag wins against Notre Dame and rival South Carolina — which could be two CFP Top 25 teams — it can garner serious consideration for a top-four finish if it finishes with one loss,” Dinich wrote. “If the Tigers’ only loss was to NC State or Wake and they didn’t win the Atlantic Division, this scenario could keep them in the conversation, depending on what happens elsewhere. Beating Notre Dame, South Carolina and Miami — plus a win against another ranked Atlantic Division opponent — would still impress the committee.”
On the other end of the spectrum, what the CFP committee wouldn’t like about Clemson, Dinich wrote, is bad quarterback play, noting that DJ Uiagalelei threw more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) last season and didn’t have more than 241 passing yards in any game during his first full season as the Tigers’ starter in 2021.
Clemson opens the 2022 season against Georgia Tech on Monday, Sept. 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (8 p.m., ESPN).
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