Projected final 2020 College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings after Week 16
By Zach Bigalke
10-1. player. Scouting Report. Clemson Tigers. 2. 879. Pick Analysis. won 34-10 vs. No. 2 Notre Dame (ACC championship in Charlotte)
Clemson avenged its lone loss of the season, taking down Notre Dame in their rematch in the ACC championship game. The 34-10 win over the Fighting Irish ensured that Dabo Swinney’s team will reach the College Football Playoff for the sixth straight season. The Tigers are projected to slot in at No. 2 in the final Top 25 from the selection committee after winning yet another league crown.
Trevor Lawrence threw for 322 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception as he completed 25 of his 36 attempts. Lawrence also rushed for 90 yards and a score on 14 carries, ending his Clemson career undefeated against ACC opponents. Travis Etienne had an even bigger day out of the backfield, running for 124 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. Ian Book was held without a touchdown pass, and Kyren Williams managed only 50 rushing yards against a stout Clemson effort on defense.
As LSU argued back in 2007, Clemson was technically “undefeated in regulation” given their only loss came on the road in double overtime at Notre Dame. They will easily bump up to Notre Dame’s previous spot in the rankings and lock themselves in for another semifinal appearance in what has become second nature in South Carolina.