Who could Clemson football face in the CFB Playoff assuming the Tigers win? Here’s our latest look at scenarios for the field of four.
The Clemson football team is just one win away from making it back to the CFB Playoff for the fourth-straight year.
The only thing standing in the way of that is ACC Coastal Champion Pittsburgh, who is looking to play spoiler to the Tigers’ playoff chances.
The playoff committee released its most recent rankings and there was finally some movement. Here’s a look at the top-10 in the latest rankings:
- Alabama
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Georgia
- Oklahoma
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- UCF
- Florida
- LSU
Playoff Scenarios:
It’s still crazy to me that Florida is ranked No. 9 in the nation and that LSU in No. 10. Neither of those teams are top-10 caliber teams. Michigan also shouldn’t be seventh, but who cares? None of those teams are going to the playoff.
Here are the games that will make a difference in the final playoff rankings, which will be released this Sunday:
- ACC Championship: Clemson vs. Pitt
- Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Northwestern
- Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma vs. Texas
- SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Georgia
Basically, that’s it. I don’t see the committee letting UCF get into the playoff even if the Knights win and a bunch of teams lose.
Right now, the playoff has three open spots. Notre Dame has already basically locked up a spot even though the Fighting Irish won’t play in a conference championship game.
There are three teams that control their own destiny (meaning if they win, they’re in): Alabama, Clemson and Georgia.
In my opinion, if any of these teams lose their games- Bama and Georgia play each other- they should be eliminated assuming other teams don’t lose.
If everyone wins out in the top-six barring Georgia, then Oklahoma should get the No. 4 spot and we should see the Sooners vs. Alabama and Notre Dame vs. Clemson. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if the committee protected Alabama from playing Oklahoma and moved Notre Dame to No. 4 or left Oklahoma out entirely and put Ohio State in.
The only way the Buckeyes should be getting in is if Oklahoma (or another team like Clemson or Bama) loses in front of them. To me, it’s clear that Oklahoma is the better team and has the better resume.
An interesting scenario would be if saw Georgia beat Bama and then all the other teams lose. Could that actually result in both Clemson and Alabama getting the No. 3 and No. 4 spots despite losing their conference championships? Of course the Crimson Tide would get in, but I think there would be a good chance Clemson gets that last spot with one loss over a two-loss Oklahoma, Ohio State or even Pac-12 Champion.
Bottom line for the Tigers, though, is this: “Win and You’re In.”
We’ve heard that phrase before and Clemson football typically plays really well with stuff like this hanging in the balance. I expect the Tigers to come out, take care of business and lock up their spot in the College Football Playoff Saturday night.