Clemson's CFP path is far more navigable than national media would ever want to admit

While it remains to be seen to what degree they are a national title hopeful, the chances of Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers reaching the College Football Playoff are quite promising. Even though they are not currently projected to make the 12-team field, all it may take is one of a few things to happen for that pathway to open up. Clemson could take advantage of this playoff situation at hand.

Per ESPN's FPI, these teams have the best percentage chance to make the College Football Playoff.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: 76 percent
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 74 percent
3. Texas Longhorns: 70 percent
4. Oregon Ducks: 65 percent
5. Georgia Bulldogs: 64 percent
6. Miami Hurricanes: 63 percent
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders: 58 percent
8. Indiana Hoosiers: 57 percent
9. Alabama Crimson Tide: 41 percent
10. LSU Tigers: 39 percent
11. Texas A&M Aggies: 39 percent
12. Oklahoma Sooners: 28 percent
13. USC Trojans: 28 percent
14. BYU Cougars: 26 percent
15. Michigan Wolverines: 23 percent
16. Ole Miss Rebels: 23 percent
17. Clemson Tigers: 22 percent
18. Penn State Nittany Lions: 22 percent
19. Tennessee Volunteers: 20 percent
20. SMU Mustangs: 18 percent

While Clemson has the 17th-best chance of making it in at 22 percent, let's keep these three things in mind. One, every Power Four league's champion gets in this season, no matter what. Two, the top-11 teams in these rankings would, in theory, make it in, as well as the Group of Six champion. And three, Clemson plays in a league where its presumptive favorite has never won its conference title before...

With Clemson having the second best odds in the ACC behind Miami, this bodes well for the Tigers.

So with Clemson roughly six spots out of playoff position (No. 11 seed), the Tigers only need to make up a 17-percent difference to get in over the presumed last team in: Texas A&M. Furthermore, Miami may be a sizable favorite to make it in at 63 percent, but that looks to be more than good enough to make the field as an at-large team like we all saw a season ago. SMU needs to be monitored as well...

As long as Clemson plays up to its standard, keeps pace with Miami, and holds off SMU, it will be fine.

Clemson can make CFP by winning the ACC after another Miami slip-up

It almost goes without saying that Clemson needs to beat Miami at home this year. In the event the Tigers protect their house, that would give the team a huge resume booster to potentially make the playoffs. Whether it is as an ACC Champion or as an at-large team remains to be seen. Frankly, Miami is far more likely to get in one of two ways than Clemson. Like SMU, the Tigers need to win the ACC.

What is important to understand here is Clemson is among the most serious contenders to make the playoffs. While the bulk of these teams hail from the Big Ten and the SEC, Clemson being slotted in with the second-best odds out of the ACC matters. Yes, it does need to keep the likes of SMU from overtaking them, but the ACC is certainly getting a team in. Miami has never won the ACC before...

Not to say this is what will surely happen, but the only team on this list that has won the ACC before is Clemson. While SMU is only entering year three as a Power Four team in its new league, Miami has played in the ACC for a generation now. Long gone are the days of the old Big East when that league used to play in the FBS. Regardless, just because Clemson is close does not mean it is a guarantee.

ALSO READ: 5 wins that would represent a return to glory season for Dabo Swinney leading Clemson

Right now, Clemson fans can look at that 22 percent one of two ways. They can view it as disrespect, or as an opportunity for their team to get better. Again, they are only 17 percent off the presumptive last team in. Texas A&M may have made the playoffs a year ago, but the Aggies are every bit a sit-down program that can never be trusted. Also, Clemson is the undisputed king of the ACC comeback.

The national media must accept that Swinney's Tigers are not that far off from making the playoffs.

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