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Clemson Football: The road to the ACC Atlantic goes through Raleigh

By Andrew Boardwine

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 05: North Carolina State Wolfpack fans cheer during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter Finley Stadium on October 5, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 05: North Carolina State Wolfpack fans cheer during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter Finley Stadium on October 5, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football did not lose control of its own destiny with a loss to Syracuse, but the margin for error is now as small as it can get.

Clemson football fell to Syracuse 27-24 last Friday, but the Tigers still control their own destiny, at least in the ACC.

However, the road to an ACC Atlantic Division Championship goes through Raleigh.

How many people would have thought that at the beginning of the 2017 season?

Here’s the current ACC Atlantic standings with each team’s conference record.

  1. NC State (4-0)
  2. Clemson (4-1)
  3. Syracuse (2-1)
  4. Florida State (2-2)
  5. Wake Forest (1-2)
  6. Boston College(1-3)
  7. Louisville (1-3)

Obviously, NC State has played really well since losing to South Carolina to start the season. As a matter of fact, the Wolfpack would be a top-10 team now if they had beaten the Gamecocks.

That being said, Clemson football’s chances at an ACC Atlantic Division championship rest in Raleigh.

For the first time, Clemson vs. Florida State won’t be the division championship game.

Clemson has a bye week to get ready for Georgia Tech. If the Tigers can get past the Yellow Jackets, the match up with NC State will be looming.

That’s going to be a huge game.

Assuming both teams win, (NC State beats Notre Dame; Clemson beats Georgia Tech) this could be a match up of top-10 teams.

It will, without a doubt, be a tombstone game and it will not only determine Clemson football’s College Football Playoff hopes, but also their hopes of winning the ACC or even getting to a New Year’s Six Bowl.

This is what November football is all about. All of the Tigers’ goals will be on the line in a couple of weeks and only the strong survive.

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I believe Dabo Swinney will have Clemson football ready to go and you will see a different mentality from the Tigers when they play Georgia Tech and then when they go on the road to take on NC State.

It’s going to be a lot of fun, so buckle up Clemson fans, and get ready for a great ride.

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