Next years Playoff will be the hardest one for Clemson to

Jan 10, 2023, 9:52 AM

get into. Why? Because the pollsters have lost confidence in us, and the ESPN talking heads will once again spend all their time bashing the ACC as a conference.

Now, bear in mind, this is that same conference where there are now at least a couple of teams that the pollsters think have surpassed Clemson, at least via the preseason rankings. So, if the conference itself is bad, AND there are at least a couple of teams better than us, then WE must be a total joke, right?

Next year will be the last year of just four teams in the Playoff. You might as well pencil Georgia in as one of those, barring a miracle. That train is rolling now, much like Saban's was in 2011-12. And, given how poorly the Big 12 was represented in the Championship game, they most likely do not get a representative into the next one.

One thing TCU DID do. I think Khaki Pants is blown at Meechigan. It was a fun, short ride, but next year, I think they get back to looking UP at Ohio State again. So, pencil Cryan Day's troops into one Playoff spot.

With only Ohio State from the Big 10, and nobody from the Big 12, there is a MUCH better than average chance that the SEC gets two teams into the Playoffs. Since Saban had to secretly be SEETHING that David Pollack had the audacity to say that Georgia had taken over as Dynasty Kings of College Football, while sitting right next to him, I say Bama is that 2nd SEC team. They may even be the SEC Champs, it doesn't really matter. I believe both they and Georgia will be in.

So, before the season even begins, we are down to likely ONE open spot. And, Clemson will have to be no worse than a one loss ACC Champion to even have a shot at it. Coming out of the ACC, we don't get the luxury of being a one loss non-Champion that was afforded to Ohio State. Depending on what comes out of the Pac-12, we may even need to be unbeaten to get it. It probably depends on just how well the Lincoln Riley train gets rolling at USC in his 2nd year.

So, you see, next season is going to take a Herculenean effort to make the Playoffs. And make no mistake, that should be the goal. Merely winning the ACC just gets you a Participation Trophy. To truly be one of the Big Boys, you need to fill one of those four Playoff slots.

Do we have a talented enough roster to do it? I certainly think so. Will we have to see a much better effort from players, as well as the coaching staff? I certainly think that, as well.