Fansided

College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 10

By Brad Weiss

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Deon Cain #8 celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Ray-Ray McCloud #21 of the Clemson Tigers during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Deon Cain #8 celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Ray-Ray McCloud #21 of the Clemson Tigers during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
4

Clemson Tigers (8-1)

Last week: W 38-31 at NC State
Last rank: 4

The Clemson Tigers had something to prove on Saturday, as head coach Dabo Swinney and company were looking to stake their claim in the ACC Atlantic Division. Heading to NC State to play a Wolfpack team that had not lost in ACC play this season, the Tigers knew they would have to win if they wanted a shot at another ACC championship. Well, the Tigers took care of business, and with a 6-1 record in the division, they can now hold serve and represent the Atlantic in the ACC Championship Game at the end of the season.

Kelly Bryant looks healthy for the first time in a while, and he certainly did it all for the Tigers against the Wolfpack. The freshman quarterback threw for a touchdown against the Wolfpack, while running in two scores with his feet. Tavien Feaster racked up over 100 yards on the ground for the Tigers, but the majority of that came on his 89-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter.

Deon Cain had a terrific game through the air, catching nine passes for 84 yards and Bryant’s only touchdown. The defense was the unit to have the final say on this one, as they picked off NC State quarterback Ryan Finley to seal the victory. Finley was picked off twice by an opportunistic Clemson defense, who showed on Saturday that they have the talent to really make a run at another national title.

Now in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic Division, the Tigers will have to win out to clinch their spot in the title game. That should be an easy task, as they take on a down Florida State team next week, and then play the Citadel. They will finish their regular season on the road against South Carolina in a game that could wind up being a trap game if they try to look ahead to the ACC title game.

Home/College Football Playoff