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Clemson Football: Tigers are No. 2 in the initial CFB Playoff Poll

By Tyreese Ingram

WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of the helmets worn by the Clemson Tigers before their game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on October 6, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 06: A detailed view of the helmets worn by the Clemson Tigers before their game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on October 6, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The first College Football Playoff polls were released on Tuesday night and there were no surprise team or teams in the top four. 

1) Alabama(8-0), 2) Clemson(8-0), 3) LSU(7-1) and 4) Notre Dame(8-0) are the top four teams in the first top 25 College Football Playoffs Poll.

Why Alabama? They have just been dominate in every game thus far in 2018. Traditionally, a defensive juggernaut, this year, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has elevated the offense to number one in scoring(54.1 PPG) and total offense(564.3 YPG).

Why Clemson? The Tigers haven’t been as dominate as Bama, especially, against Texas A&M 28-26 and Syracuse 27-23, but 63-7, 41-10 and 59-10 scores in wins over Wake Forest, N.C. State and FSU, respectively, shows that the offense is emerging and better days are ahead. That offense plus the nation’s number one scoring defense(13.0 PPG) and third ranked total defense(263.9 YPG) makes Clemson a tough out for anyone.

Why Notre Dame? The Irish are undefeated and have wins over Stanford, Virginia Tech and Michigan, all ranked at the time. Michigan, fifth, is the only team currently in the CFP poll.

Why LSU? This team has gotten the job done against ranked teams too. They have the best resume which includes wins over No. 6 Georgia, No. 13 Florida, and No. 21 Mississippi State. The Tigers of Baton Rouge also beat No. 7 Auburn and No. 8 Miami earlier this season.

What’s next for each team? 

LSU welcomes Alabama to their Death Valley this weekend, so this top four will be different next week. It will be different in order, but the teams could remain the same, if LSU wins. With a win, LSU could leapfrog Clemson and Bama drop to four. But an LSU loss, giving them two on the season, would move them out of the top four.

Clemson is expected to play every player in uniform when they face Louisville in Clemson this weekend. Louisville(2-6, 0-5) is a -37 point underdog and has lost all five of their conference games. This game could be over by halftime.

Notre Dame like LSU, could have a short-lived stint in the top four. The Irish travel to face a streaking Northwestern team with four straight wins including two wins over ranked teams Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Wildcats also have a three-point home loss to Michigan and an opening season win at Purdue.

Next. 5 Areas Clemson must improve to win National Championship. dark

A fifth straight Northwestern win, probably ends Notre Dame’s playoff run.

Poll number one is done but things are expected to only heat up from here.

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