15 non-conference games that will shape 2019 College Football Playoff

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers fakes a handoff to Travis Etienne #9 against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

4. Clemson vs Texas A&M

This year’s match-up between these two teams hosted an absolute thriller of a competition, that ended in a 28-26 victory for the future National Championship winning Tigers. Clemson has the home field advantage in this year’s match-up, and have a stellar 40-2 home record in the last six seasons. That being said, Texas A&M came the closest of anyone to derailing Clemson’s championship run last year, and it should be a dynamic match-up once again.

That Clemson team, however, was without Trevor Lawrence as starting quarterback. Last season served as a coming out party for Lawrence, whom many believe would’ve been drafted first overall if he were eligible after two stunning College Football Playoff performances. Armed with a dynamic offense fueled by Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins, this Clemson team has become the team to beat in the upcoming season.

Texas A&M finished 9-4 in Jimbo Fisher’s first tenure with the Aggies but will be a team another year along in its progression under Fisher’s tenure. The Aggies lose some depth on the squad thanks to graduations and declarations and will need to find replacements, especially on the defensive line. That said, Fisher landed yet another stellar recruiting class in the class of 2019, and freshmen like five-star offensive tackle Kenyon Green could come right in and make an immediate impact.

Clemson is going to be a tough beat for any team heading into this season, and a win for Fisher’s Aggies would be gigantic heading into a pivotal season.

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