5 reasons Clemson will still make the College Football Playoff

1. Big Ten play will create an opening for Clemson

Clemson is currently ranked fifth in the AP rankings: behind Ohio State and Michigan, and ahead of Wisconsin and Penn State. This is how the rest of Big 10 play can shake out:

• Penn State will be favored over Rutgers and Michigan State and could complete Big Ten play with one loss.
• Wisconsin will be favored to win over Purdue and Minnesota and wrap up the Big Ten West. The Badgers will advance to their fourth Big Ten Conference Championship Game in the six years of existence. Nebraska will represent the West in the event of a Wisconsin loss.
• Michigan and Ohio State play each other at the end of the regular season. Clemson will jump the loser in rankings and the losing team will not advance to the Big Ten title game.
• If Ohio State beats Michigan in Columbus, then Penn State can advance to the Conference Championship Game.
• If Michigan wins, they will play Wisconsin in the Conference Championship. The Badgers lost to the Wolverines 14-7 in the Big House earlier this year.

This all only matters, of course, if Clemson is able to win out their schedule. Ohio State or Michigan can remain ranked ahead of Clemson if either of them wins out, but only one can. If Ohio State finishes with one loss and doesn’t claim the Big Ten championship, it could be grounds for Clemson to jump them in the rankings. Two-loss Penn State and Wisconsin are very much alive for a berth in the College Football Playoff, but aren’t viable threats to jump Clemson.

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The Clemson Tigers control their own destiny in taking a spot in the College Football Playoff.