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College Football Playoff 2020 projections after Week 11 action

By Michael Hanich

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) talks to Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) talks to Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) passes against Notre Dame during the 2nd quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX Saturday, December 29, 2018.Clemson Notre Dame Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) passes against Notre Dame during the 2nd quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX Saturday, December 29, 2018.Clemson Notre Dame Goodyear Cotton Bowl /

3. Clemson Tigers (7-1)

Last week, college football was shook by No. 1 Clemson’s overtime loss to No. 4 Notre Dame. The Tigers were on a bye this weekend as they needed to regroup on both sides of the ball to figure out what went wrong in the loss to Notre Dame. This week off was crucial for Clemson as they needed to have star quarterback Trevor Lawrence cleared of COVID-19.

Clemson’s journey back to the College Football Playoff for a sixth consecutive year was not halted when it lost to Notre Dame in Week 10 but it didn’t help it lost a key matchup. The Tigers will look to get revenge on the Irish most likely when they meet once again in the ACC title game. This will be a matchup that will likely get the Tigers back in the third-ranked spot where they would likely face Ohio State.

The Tigers have some key areas to fix on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, they rank 20th in points allowed per game (19.5) and 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game (113.5). Their key losses to the NFL have been an issue all season, highlighted against Notre Dame. The offense isn’t as explosive as it had been in the past even with senior running back Travis Etienne back. They rank 77th in rushing yards per game (150).

This Saturday, the Tigers will be traveling to Tallahassee to take on rival Florida State (2-6). The Seminoles have not found consistent playmakers on offense this deep into the season. Clemson currently has a five-game winning streak against the Seminoles.

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