College football power rankings: Which of the 6 remaining undefeated teams is superior?
By John Buhler
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. (8-0). player. 879. ACC. Clemson Tigers. 4
Clemson has played a tough schedule, but has nearly fallen on many occasions
The Clemson Tigers have a lot going for them right now, but not everybody under the sun is willing to buy into them just yet, and for good reason. Although they are 8-0 and pretty much a lock to get to Charlotte out of the ACC Atlantic this season, the Tigers have on more than one occasion nearly slipped up, including last week’s game vs. Syracuse. The Orange blew it more than anything.
For now, Clemson is 6-0 in ACC play. More importantly, the Tigers have head-to-head tiebreakers over Wake Forest, North Carolina State, Florida State and now Syracuse. They have Louisville and Miami remaining in conference, as well as at Notre Dame and home vs. South Carolina at regular-season’s end out of it. They should go 4-0 in those games, but keep an eye on those Gamecocks…
Shane Beamer has the in-state rival’s team humming, while Dabo Swinney nearly lost at home to historically a basketball school in which he had to bench his former five-star quarterback. In short, Clemson has the talent, the resume and the pathway to get into the College Football Playoff unscathed.
What this really comes down to is if the Tigers can avoid beating itself in a crucial spot.
If the Tigers get to 13-0 with a title bout victory over North Carolina, they could be a top-two seed.