If the Clemson Tigers win the ACC Championship, they will have a good chance of getting a bye week. The Clemson Tigers will face the SMU Mustangs next Saturday night, with the ACC Championship and an automatic berth into the College Football Playoff at stake.
During rivalry week, the Tigers had a stunning turn of events, going from losing a devastating game against the South Carolina Gamecocks to controlling their own CFP destiny.
Clemson lost against the Gamecocks after blowing a lead late in the fourth quarter, as their running defense failed them once more. A lot of credit must go to quarterback LaNorris Sander of South Carolina, who had a terrific game.
and maybe helped earn a position for his team in the CFP. Heading into championship week, the Tigers’ main priority will undoubtedly be to win their game. However, they have some potentially positive outcomes that could aid in the CFP.
If Clemson wins, they will have several opportunities to earn a bye and a Top-4 seed.
The first is that the victory over the Mustangs is regarded as a larger game and a stronger resume builder than the winner of the Big 12 Championship between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Iowa State Cyclones. Both of those teams are only barely ranked ahead of the Tigers, and with the Mustangs being the highest ranked of the four,
A win for Clemson could be enough. Another possibility for the Tigers to have a bye is if the Boise State Broncos lose against the UNLV Rebels.
moment it appeared for a moment that the Tigers’ prospects of making the CFP were over, they now have the opportunity to earn a Top-4 seed and receive a bye week.
It was a dramatic turn of circumstances in a matter of hours, and Clemson must now recover from its loss to the Gamecocks and prepare for the Mustangs.
SMU has been outstanding all year, as evidenced by their unblemished ACC record, which includes two victories over teams ranked in the Top 25 when they played them. While the possibility of receiving a bye in the CFP is appealing, the Tigers must first win the ACC Championship and let everything else fall into place after that.
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