WE'RE IN BABY!!!!
But man, we stunk it up against SMU in most categories EXCEPT the scoreboard.... Here's how we performed versus our year-to-date averages:
Both sides of the ball had a MINUS day - except we scored more and held them to 1 point fewer than projected. Yes, it's impossible to predict turnovers and crazy plays - but we were on the right side of the coin of some big plays... we'll take it!
Onward to the playoffs... and I'll say now, we're ranked #16 in the CFP poll - I did a quick comparison with every team above us and they ALL would be projected to beat us in a neutral game - some by very slim margins (ASU, Boise St - even Georgia is a close loss). And I did the same for teams below us in the CFP rankings, and guess what? EVERY team below is would be projected to lose - I think for once the committee has us in the right place based on on-the-field performance this year.
We are the true underdog of this first edition of the 12-team playoff. If we take the whole thing you'll probably start hearing calls to expand the playoff to 16 teams
But we gotta beat Texas, and the projection does not like us one bit.
The Texas defense is stellar, holding opponents to a fraction of their average offensive gain and score a +36% bonus on that side of the ball. The CLEMSON defense is very average, except our scoring defense leans positive (holding opponents to 4 points fewer than they score on average - compared to Texas holding opponents to 14 points under their averages).
We will need to play out of character for the entire game to pull off a win - and we will need some big plays and maybe even defensive scoring/special teams scoring on our side of the ball.
We have had moments in games all year where we've played good enough to beat anyone in the Country - but we have failed to put it together for an entire game. Fortunately our offensive side is no slouch - and our freshman receivers have been increasingly emerging - though counter with Mafah being gimpy.
To me this is a culture game - will the CLEMSON culture, which is strong, be strong enough to climb this mountain? On the road? A hungry Texas team and fanbase? We're the little guy again in this game and in this playoff... We were 7 points dogs when we beat the best team in the history of college football 44-16 under the influence of epic leadership and big plays... can the leadership step it up this year? This game? That's what it would take... either way - let's enjoy the game and GO TIGERS!
Here are the other matchups in the first round:
But man, we stunk it up against SMU in most categories EXCEPT the scoreboard.... Here's how we performed versus our year-to-date averages:
Both sides of the ball had a MINUS day - except we scored more and held them to 1 point fewer than projected. Yes, it's impossible to predict turnovers and crazy plays - but we were on the right side of the coin of some big plays... we'll take it!
Onward to the playoffs... and I'll say now, we're ranked #16 in the CFP poll - I did a quick comparison with every team above us and they ALL would be projected to beat us in a neutral game - some by very slim margins (ASU, Boise St - even Georgia is a close loss). And I did the same for teams below us in the CFP rankings, and guess what? EVERY team below is would be projected to lose - I think for once the committee has us in the right place based on on-the-field performance this year.
We are the true underdog of this first edition of the 12-team playoff. If we take the whole thing you'll probably start hearing calls to expand the playoff to 16 teams
But we gotta beat Texas, and the projection does not like us one bit.
The Texas defense is stellar, holding opponents to a fraction of their average offensive gain and score a +36% bonus on that side of the ball. The CLEMSON defense is very average, except our scoring defense leans positive (holding opponents to 4 points fewer than they score on average - compared to Texas holding opponents to 14 points under their averages).
We will need to play out of character for the entire game to pull off a win - and we will need some big plays and maybe even defensive scoring/special teams scoring on our side of the ball.
We have had moments in games all year where we've played good enough to beat anyone in the Country - but we have failed to put it together for an entire game. Fortunately our offensive side is no slouch - and our freshman receivers have been increasingly emerging - though counter with Mafah being gimpy.
To me this is a culture game - will the CLEMSON culture, which is strong, be strong enough to climb this mountain? On the road? A hungry Texas team and fanbase? We're the little guy again in this game and in this playoff... We were 7 points dogs when we beat the best team in the history of college football 44-16 under the influence of epic leadership and big plays... can the leadership step it up this year? This game? That's what it would take... either way - let's enjoy the game and GO TIGERS!
Here are the other matchups in the first round:
