Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football Playoff projections 2018: Notre Dame barely hanging on

By Gavin Jernigan

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with Chris Finke #10 after scoring the touchdown to take the lead against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with Chris Finke #10 after scoring the touchdown to take the lead against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 38-3 in the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 38-3 in the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Clemson

Another painful concept is to suggest a team improved during a week they did not even play. As mentioned early, Oklahoma moved up two spots in the AP Poll after a bye week, and the week prior they lost to a much lower ranked team.

A week ago, Clemson was not even in the projected top four spots. However, after a Georgia loss and a near hiccup with Notre Dame, Clemson comes off as the third best team in college football. Assuming freshman quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, can stay healthy, the Tigers look to have an only one test between now and the ACC Championship game.

This test conveniently comes after this past bye week. Clemson will host No. 16 NC State. The Wolfpack are one of eight FBS teams still undefeated. Fortunate for Clemson, the game is at home. Had the game be in North Carolina, NC State’s chances would be much higher.

Interestingly, both teams are coming off a bye week and therefore, have had two weeks to prepare for each other. In these scenarios, the typical outcome is a close, low scoring game. A win over NC State will add a quality win to Clemson’s resume.

Home/College Football Playoff