College Football Playoff Rankings: Projected Top 10 after Week 13

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Clemson has had no issue dismantling inferior opponents, for the most part, this season. Although the Pittsburgh Panthers, who now find themselves ranked in the AP Poll, came into Death Valley and pulled out an upset, Clemson disposed of a bowl eligible South Carolina team with ease in Week 13.

It wasn’t much of a contest as Dabo Swinney’s team came out angry and proved that it deserved one of those four playoff spots for the second straight season.

In fact, Deshaun Watson had as many incompletions Saturday against the Gamecocks, six, as he did touchdown passes. He took a major step in the right direction after struggling to find a rhythm for the past couple of weeks, even leading to an upset loss against Pittsburgh at home two games ago.

After Florida State won the national title after the 2013 season and made the playoff in 2014, the Clemson Tigers have represented the ACC for the past two years. The Tigers had a minor slip-up this season but as long as they win the conference title, they will be guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff.