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College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 4

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs onto the field with his team prior to a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs onto the field with his team prior to a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers attempts a pass against the Boston College Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers attempts a pass against the Boston College Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images) /
2

Clemson Tigers 4-0

Last week: Win vs Boston College, 34-7
Last rank: 2nd

Clemson bowled over Louisville in Week 3 and made Lamar Jackson look like a shell of his Heisman Trophy-winning self from 2016. The Cardinals were ranked in the top-15, so the win propelled the Tigers to No. 2 in the nation.

Week 4 brought Boston College in as the team’s opponent. The Eagles were one of the weakest teams in the ACC to start the season, which made them look like a soft foe for Clemson. However, it also led to Dabo Swinney’s squad’s inability to play up to form from Week 3, at least for the first three quarters.

By the fourth, Clemson looked dominant, with 27 points to defeat Boston College, 34-7. It was a 7-7 game as the final 15 minutes began, though.

If the offense didn’t wake up in the fourth quarter and if Boston College wasn’t inept at scoring, then this could have been different. The Tigers lived to fight another day, however, and will remain in the College Football Playoff Rankings at No. 2. It’s due to the performance of the teams at No. 3 and 4, and their tight-game performances.

The difficulty level will increase for Clemson, as they face No. 13 Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sep. 30. It’s an opportunity to improve their postseason resume, but maybe their best chance at falling off the No. 2 ranking, until the Florida State game in November. It’s a must-win in Blacksburg, VA.

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