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Clemson Football: Most Likely CFB Playoff opponents heading into Week 9

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers runs to the field for the Tigers' football game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers runs to the field for the Tigers' football game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Who are the most likely teams that Clemson football could face in the College Football Playoff heading into week nine of the 2018 season?

Clemson football is not guaranteed a berth in the CFB Playoff. The Tigers still have six games standing in the way of their playoff hopes.

There’s no room for error and the Tigers have to find a way to string together six more wins in those games in order to earn their fourth-straight College Football Playoff berth.

But, the Tigers are certainly a favorite to make the semifinals here heading into the ninth week of the 2018 season.

Today, let’s take a look at the teams that still have a chance at the playoff and who the most likely opponents will be should the Tigers make it to national semifinals here in about two months.

College Football Playoff Race: Who’s Left?

*A star indicates an undefeated team. No star indicates one loss. No two-loss teams are being considered at this time.*

ACC: Clemson*

Big Ten: Michigan, Ohio State

Big 12: Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia

Pac-12: Washington State

SEC: Alabama*, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky

Other: Notre Dame*, UCF*

Some of these teams are still mathematically in the conversation, but we all know they won’t be there. For instance, Kentucky and Florida have no chance at a playoff. They’re just not very good.

In my opinion, both Texas and Notre Dame are overrated and I’m not really sure that Washington State will get into the playoff with one loss anyway.

So, who are the most likely candidates for the College Football Playoff? Here’s our projected top four heading into week nine: (We’ll give you our top-10)

Projected CFB Playoff Poll after Week 9:

  1. Alabama
  2. Clemson
  3. Notre Dame
  4. LSU
  5. Michigan
  6. Georgia
  7. Texas
  8. UCF
  9. Oklahoma
  10. Washington State

I think you’re going to see both Notre Dame and Texas lose again very soon. Michigan has a chance to win out because the Big Ten, frankly, isn’t that good. LSU and Alabama will face off, so that one will be decided on the field.

Georgia and Florida will play each other, as well, so that will work itself out.

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In the end, I think you have Alabama and Clemson as No. 1 and No. 2. After that, there’s a shot that we see Michigan take the No. 3 spot and then there’s no telling about that fourth spot. Could it be Oklahoma? Maybe UCF or someone we’re not even talking about right now? Maybe Notre Dame is able to go undefeated?

I’m not really sure right now, but I do think one thing is clear: Alabama is No. 1 and Clemson is No. 2. Then, there’s everybody else.

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