Could Clemson football see an unfamiliar opponent in the 2019 CFB Playoff? The folks at Sporting News certainly think it is possible.
There are two teams that are favorites to make it to the CFB Playoff: Clemson and Alabama.
After those two programs, there are a plethora of other programs that could potentially fill those other two spots in the playoff. It’s not to say that the Tigers and Tide are locks for the playoff, because games have to be played on the field, but it’s more of the fact that they are overarching favorites to get back because of the talent they possess.
Sporting News released its projections for every bowl game for the 2019 season, and the CFB Playoff. In the playoff semifinals, Sporting News has Clemson football taking on the Texas Longhorns and the publication has Alabama taking on Ohio State.
The No. 2 seeded Tigers would take on the No. 3 seeded Longhorns in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, which is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 28.
Alabama and Ohio State would play on the same date in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Thoughts:
It would be a lot of fun for Clemson football fans to see the Tigers take on Texas in a CFB Playoff semifinal.
The Longhorns have a storied history of being an elite program, but have been down for several years. Clemson has beaten the likes of Ohio State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame in CFB Playoff semis, so Texas would be another big name to add to a tombstone, as well.
Sporting News has Alabama and Clemson advancing to the National Championship for what would be the fifth-straight matchup between the two programs.
Although I would like to see Texas in a playoff, I think analysts may be putting the cart before the horse on the Longhorns. Texas returns a lot of talent and is heading in the right direction, but there’s a difference between taking the next step in growth and all of a sudden making a playoff.
I think it’s more likely that we see Texas in as the No. 4 seed with two losses, rather than a No. 3 seed.
The fun thing, though, would be if the Tigers had the No. 1 seed and got to match up with Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Talk about a sellout.
What’s your thoughts, Tiger fans? Comment below with your thoughts on Sporting News’ predictions.