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Clemson football: ESPN FPI projections – Yes or no?

By Marty Coleman

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with a referee during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., October 2, 2021.Ncaa Football Acc Clemson Boston CollegeSyndication The Greenville News
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks with a referee during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., October 2, 2021.Ncaa Football Acc Clemson Boston CollegeSyndication The Greenville News /
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Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) passes during the third quarter in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021.Ncaa Football Georgia Tech At Clemson /

Ah, you wondered where I got that 15% number from and there it is.  ESPN FPI gives Clemson the fourth highest chance to finish 12-0 behind Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama.

The odds imply that given this years scenario, once in every 6.67 years (or 3 times in 20 years) Clemson would go undefeated.

The obvious play here is NO, but not because the chances imply I’d be right 5 out of 6 times, but also we all know the Tigers have major questions at quarterback, along the offensive line and even wide receiver.

The first three games are almost given Ws, but games 4-11 offer various challenges, with the November 5 game at Notre Dame looking especially challenging here in June.

As for game 12, South Carolina says the Tigers are cycling out and eventually they’ll be right.  It might be in 2063, but they’ll still say “told you so, dumb tater” whenever that happens.

Could Clemson go undefeated? Sure, but the numbers are stacked against them and there are too many questions, especially the big one at the most important position on the field.

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