Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of the new College Football Playoff system, the Clemson Tigers snuck in after winning the ACC. Following the release of the bracket for the 12-team tournament, our Clemson College Football Playoff predictions plot out the Tigers’ path to the National Championship Game.
Clemson College Football Playoff First Round Prediction vs. No. 5 Texas
Since the Tigers were outside the top 12 teams, they could only make the College Football Playoff as the fifth-highest-ranked conference champion. As a result, the Tigers are seeded 12th, drawing the No. 5 Texas Longhorns, who just lost in overtime of the SEC Championship.
- Win Probability: 24.7%
- CFN Spread: Texas -9
Clemson College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Projection vs. No. 4 Arizona State
The College Football Playoff has some unique wrinkles. If the Tigers can upset the Longhorns, they’ll face a lower-ranked opponent, as the Big 12 Champion Arizona State Sun Devils are the fourth seed. The Tigers would face them in the quarterfinal.
- Win Probability: 49.4%
- CFN Spread: Pick ’em
Clemson College Football Playoff Semifinal Projection vs. No. 9 Tennessee, No. 8 Ohio State, or No. 1 Oregon
This is where things get less predictable.
After knocking off Arizona State, Clemson could take on one of three teams: No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers, No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes, or No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
- Win Probability vs. Tennessee: 36.9%
- Win Probability vs. Ohio State: 29.7%
- Win Probability vs. Oregon: 24.7%
- CFN Spread vs. Tennessee: Tennessee -4.5
- CFN Spread vs. Ohio State: Ohio State -7
- CFN Spread vs. Oregon: Oregon -9
Clemson College Football Playoff National Championship Projection vs. the Field
Of course, if Clemson makes the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, they’d play whoever ran the gauntlet on the other side of the field. The other side of the bracket seems to be a bit easier, but whoever emerges isn’t likely to be a pushover.
Clemson would only be favored over the Boise State Broncos and the SMU Mustangs, who the Tigers just beat in the ACC Championship.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
- Win Probability vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: 38.9%
- Win Probability vs. No. 10 Indiana: 42.6%
- Win Probability vs. No. 2 Georgia: 31.2%
- Win Probability vs. No. 6 Penn State: 38.9%
- Win Probability vs. No. 11 SMU: 50.4%
- Win Probability vs. No. 3 Boise State: 58.9%
- CFN Spread vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: Notre Dame -4
- CFN Spread vs. No. 10 Indiana: Indiana -3
- CFN Spread vs. No. 2 Georgia: Georgia -6
- CFN Spread vs. No. 6 Penn State: Penn State -4
- CFN Spread vs. No. 11 SMU: Pick ’em
- CFN Spread vs. No. 3 Boise State: Clemson -3
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