8-team simulated College Football Playoff: Who wins?

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: A general view from up high at mid-field during the open drive of the Clemson Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: A general view from up high at mid-field during the open drive of the Clemson Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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College Football Playoff
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the third quarter during the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 8 USC

Clemson vs. USC kicks off the College Football Playoff matchups. It’s Sam Darnold vs. the Tiger defense, which makes for an intriguing matchup, at least on paper.

What goes against Darnold, is his turnover-prone play. No one questions his arm talent but he placed the ball in the opposition’s hands early and often. Most of those 12 interceptions came in the first handful of games, however, with nine in the first six games. There were just three in the final six games.

Clemson’s defense may bring those early-season memories back. It’s the best unit Darnold would have faced in the 2017 season, one that shut down some of the nation’s top offensive attacks. The ability is there to rattle this potential first-overall pick and close out Ronald Jones in the backfield, something that should be done in a quarterfinal matchup.

It’s hard to look past what happened to Miami as well, once considered a top-two team in college football. This was a 38-3 decimation. There were similar games to this against elite opponents.

This won’t be an all-out offensive game like previous showings for these teams but something close. The Clemson defense should neutralize part of USC’s attack, while Kelly Bryant and company won’t overwhelm. Look for this to come down to a fourth-quarter drive and a late-game field goal, leading to the team from South Carolina advancing.

Prediction: Clemson defeats USC, 24-21