Clemson Football: Could two ACC teams make the CFB Playoff 2017?
Could we see Clemson football and another ACC team make the College Football Playoff in 2017? Here’s how things would need to line up for it to happen.
The Clemson football team has made the College Football Playoff the past two seasons and is looking to make it three heading into 2017.
The question is, however, could the Tigers, or another team- say Florida State-, not win the conference and still make the College Football Playoff?
This is the year that I believe you could see it and here’s how it would happen.
Two-Losses Everywhere:
The first thing you’d need to see is a bunch of teams from other conferences go down early. Truthfully, there are only a few teams that are legitimate contenders for the College Football Playoff in 2017.
Here’s a list of those that, may, have a chance.
SEC- Alabama, Auburn
Big 12- Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State
Big Ten- Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin
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Pac-12- USC, Washington, Washington State
ACC- Clemson, FSU, Louisville
There are 14 teams, in my opinion, that have any chance at making it to the College Football Playoff. There are no teams from the SEC East that have a chance and you could make an argument that Wisconsin, Washington State, Louisville, and Auburn are all on the outside looking in.
Let’s say, for example, that this case scenario happens:
- Alabama wins the SEC (12-0 or 11-1)
- The Big 12 conference champion has two losses (which is certainly possible)
- Ohio State or Penn State win the Big Ten (11-1)
- USC or Washington wins the Pac-12 (10-2)
Two two-loss conference champions would open up the door for an at-large team to get into the College Football Playoff, regardless of what the ACC Champions’ record is.
If you can find a way to eliminate two teams with a 10-2 record, that will open up the door and this year very well may be the best for that to happen. The Big 12 conference could take themselves out. I’m still not buying USC or Ohio State.
There’s just not that team that jumps out as “the best team in the nation.” That means, at any time, any team could go down.
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If Clemson football was to win the ACC Championship with an 11-1 record and FSU finished 11-1 also with its’ only loss being to the Tigers on the road, it’d be hard to keep the Seminoles out of the playoff. What do you think Clemson football fans? Is this the year that ACC gets two teams in?
Comment below!