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Clemson Football: ESPN Analysts Make CFB Playoff Picks after week 10

By Anthony Messenger

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper is seen prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper is seen prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football helped their College Football Playoff chances with a hard-fought victory over NC State on the road.

After suffering a loss to Syracuse on the road, Clemson football got a major wake-up call. Not only did the loss put Clemson behind the eight ball in the ACC, it affected their shot at making the College Football Playoff.

There has yet to be a two-loss team make it into the playoff. The Tigers have no room for error moving forward. Every game is an elimination game.

Thus far, Clemson has handled that pressure well, handily defeating Georgia Tech and battling their way back against NC State. With three weeks to go in the regular season, the Tigers are in good position to make the 2017 College Football Playoff.

ESPN recently released their College Football Playoff Picks After Week 10 and three out of the four analysts had Clemson in their top four.

Noteworthy news

All but one of the four entries were identical, with Alabama at No. 1, Georgia at No. 2, Notre Dame at No. 3 and Clemson at No. 4. ESPN’s Edward Aschoff had Oklahoma as his No. 4 rather than Clemson.

At the moment those standingss make sense, however, they will inevitably change before the final rankings. Alabama and Georgia are on pace to face off in what will be one of the most highly anticipated SEC Championship games in recent memory. The loser of that game, likely gets knocked out of the playoff, although you can make a serious argument for them still deserving a spot.

Notre Dame could potentially slip up before the final rankings come out as well. The Fighting Irish already have one loss on the season and they have yet to face Miami, Navy and Stanford.

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Clemson has the easiest path to the playoff out of any of the current contenders. Should the Tigers take care of business against Florida State, the only person standing in their way is in-state rival, South Carolina. The Tigers should make easy work of the Gamecocks once again this season. The Tigers’ toughest matchup will likely be in the ACC Championship versus Miami.

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