Clemson moves closer to top-12 spot in latest College Football Playoff rankings

On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff Committee released its updated rankings for week 13. And though Clemson is still outside the top 12, the Tigers are within striking distance of a spot in the field.

This week, the Tigers check in at No. 17. That's up three spots from last week when the Tigers were No. 20.

What's interesting, though, is that Clemson is not the highest-ranked 8-2 team. Right ahead of the Tigers sit 8-2 teams Texas A&M (No. 15) and Colorado (No. 16). What's more, 8-2 teams Alabama (No. 7), Ole Miss (No. 9), Georgia (No. 10), and Tennessee (No. 11) are currently in the top 12.

Of course, each of the 8-2 teams in the top 12 all have something in common; they are S.E.C. teams. That's no shock given that five of the teams in the top 12 are from that conference.

Being in the top 12 of the standings doesn't guarantee a spot in the field, though. That's because the top five conference champions are guaranteed a spot in the field and currently, no Big 12 team is in the top 12. BYU, which suffered its first loss of the season this past weekend at home against Kansas, is the highest-ranked team from that conference at No. 14. Still, if the playoff were to begin today, the Cougars would be guaranteed a spot.

But back to the Tigers, they must get some help if they want to get into the Playoff. Of course, they must win their two remaining games against The Citadel and South Carolina.

Then, they will need teams ahead of them to lose. For instance, if Miami were to lose to Wake Forest or Syracuse, then Clemson would have the inside track to play in the ACC title game where the Tigers could earn an automatic spot in the field with a win.

Interestingly, the Gamecocks remain one spot behind the Tigers as they were last week. That's good because the Tigers need their in-state rival to be ranked as high as possible when they play next weekend.

Right now, Clemson's best win was this past week's 24-20 win over Pitt. But beating USC next Saturday would then be Clemson's best resume entry, though, something that the Tigers desperately need.

There is still quite a bit of football to be played before the Playoff bids are handed out and the Tigers can control only one thing, winning. That will continue to move them closer to a playoff spot as their win over Pitt did in week 12.