College Football Playoff rankings: 5 chaos scenarios

College Football Playoff rankings: 5 chaos scenarios entering Rivalry Week

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 18: University of Miami Hurricanes Quarterback Malik Rosier (12) throws the ball during the college football game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the University of Miami Hurricanes on November 18, 2017 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 18: Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain (8) holds onto the ball for a touchdown reception during 1st half action between the Clemson Tigers and the Citadel Bulldogs on November 18, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC. (Photo by Doug Buffington/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Clemson loses to South Carolina

As mentioned in the Miami section, Clemson has no margin for error. If they lose again. With a loss to Syracuse on the books, they have already been given their one pass on the season and they have to win out.

If they lose to South Carolina this week, then they’re done and that puts everything one step closer to falling apart. It means that the job of the Miami Hurricanes gets that much tougher when they meet Clemson in the conference title game.

Miami losing a close battle to a one-loss Clemson team could keep both teams in. Miami losing to a two-loss Clemson team would mean both sides are eliminated and that there will be no ACC representative.

Basically, if one wants to take one very simple point of view of the whole situation, it’s that the ACC is the last straw. If they fall, the entire College Football Playoff goes with it and suddenly two spots will have to be filled with teams that could have two losses or a weak one-loss resume.

The best case here is that Clemson and Miami both take care of business this week in games they’re supposed to and it means that chaos will be staying dormant for hopefully yet another year.

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