College Football Playoff 2017: Projected Top 4 for Week 14
By Jesse Smith
2. Clemson Tigers
It was rivalry week and for Clemson, it had a game against in-state rival South Carolina. Clemson has been blessed with a Miami loss and they beat down South Carolina Week 13. From the opening kickoff, Clemson manhandled the Gamecocks in the non-conference rivalry game (Palmetto Bowl).
The Clemson defense dominated South Carolina, keeping them under 210 total yards and picked them off twice. This unit didn’t allow the Gamecocks too look like a Top 25 team.
The return of an exceptional Kelly Bryant happened Week 13 as well. He went 23-for-34 passing with 272 passing, two touchdowns and one interception — he also added 26 yards on the ground. Minus the turnover, if Bryant plays like this next week, it’s going to be hard for Miami to win in the ACC Championship.
The in-state battle had a chance to be a late season trap game, but they didn’t look ahead and now they are one win away from being in the College Football Playoff. If Bryant plays similarly, I don’t see Clemson losing next week. Will Malik Rosier wake up next week?
In the words of Bart Scott “can’t wait.”