Clemson Football 2017: Tigers crush South Carolina in Palmetto Bowl

3. Clemson is a win away from the College Football Playoff

There are going to be plenty of “what if’s” and scenarios that will be played out over the next week. Even Alabama head coach Nick Saban was making a playoff pitch for his squad in the press conference following the Tide’s Iron Bowl loss. The bottom line for Clemson is simple; win and they’re in.

Clemson takes on formerly undefeated Miami in the ACC Championship game next weekend. A loss would knock them out of Playoff contention. A win would give them an ACC Championship and their biggest win of the season. It would be more than enough to earn the Tigers a trip to their third consecutive College Football Playoff.

Nothing is certain when it comes to the committee and their interpretation of which four teams are “most deserving”. Clemson’s resume, however, stands at least level with every other one-loss team in the country. The loss to Syracuse doesn’t look good, but it looks better that Ohio State’s shellacking at the hands of Iowa.

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While the name on their jersey’s won’t be a stated reason for their inclusion, the defending national champions are going to get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the committee’s deliberations.