While most college football games take place on Saturday, the Clemson Tigers picked up a 20-19 win over No. 20-ranked Louisville on Friday. It was the team’s second win in a row, giving them an even 5-5 record. While it is not a perfect record, it is certainly better than what they had a few weeks ago. As a result, some fans have started to question whether the team can still qualify for a bowl game.
“There ain’t no quit in that bunch, and there ain’t no quit in me. Go Tigers!” pic.twitter.com/YefzbU1nnH
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 15, 2025
Clemson was a trendy pick to make the national championship game in the preseason. Many analysts were picking them to be among the top contenders in the nation alongside teams like Ohio State and Texas. However, the season has not played out as most fans and analysts expected.
It is difficult to say a team will definitely make or miss the College Football Playoff. The selection committee gets to decide who qualifies for the spots not given to conference champions. As a result, theoretically, they could pick nearly any team. While that is the case, it is no longer a realistic possibility for Clemson to qualify for the College Football Playoff. However, they can still qualify for a bowl game thanks to their last two wins.
How Can Clemson Qualify for a Bowl Game?
While the Clemson Tigers entered the season with national championship hopes, they will not be able to realize their preseason expectations. The team is out of contention for the College Football Playoff, despite winning its last two games. To qualify for a bowl game, teams typically need at least six wins. Sometimes five will get a team a spot, but that is not always the case.
As a result, at times during the season, it was not looking good for Clemson to qualify for a bowl game. However, by defeating Louisville, Clemson brought its record to 5-5 with two games remaining. As a result, if the Tigers can win at least one of their final two games, they will qualify for a bowl game.
Read More:
Clemson Playoff History: Wins, National Championship Appearances, and More
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