Clemson Football Week 10 Rooting Guide: How Dabo Swinney and Tigers make it to the College Football Playoff
The Clemson Tigers have ripped off six-straight wins and have positioned themselves as a favorite to make the College Football Playoff. Their path there won't be easy, as the ACC has four contenders vying to make the conference title game. Our latest CFP projections have the Tigers making the Playoff, but that doesn't mean these […]
The Clemson Tigers have ripped off six-straight wins and have positioned themselves as a favorite to make the College Football Playoff. Their path there won't be easy, as the ACC has four contenders vying to make the conference title game. Our latest CFP projections have the Tigers making the Playoff, but that doesn't mean these last five games are worth ignoring.
Clemson must first beat Lousiville in Week 10, but they have other rooting interests to keep an eye on. Clemson fans need to know who to root for and against entering college football's Week 10 action.
Here are the top few games from this weekend that Clemson fans must watch as the Tigers look to push their way into the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff field.
No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Penn State
Rooting Interest: Penn State
How the Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup goes this weekend will affect the seeding in the College Football Playoff. If Ohio State wins and eventually takes on Oregon again, and Miami eventually beats Clemson, then the bracket may set Clemson up to face the Big Ten winner in Round 2. That is not ideal.
Unless, of course, Penn State wins the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are a good team but not nearly as deep, nor do they have the coaching staff with a history of winning big games. Clemson can beat Penn State in Round 2 much more realistically than either Oregon or Ohio State.
Colorado State vs. Nevada
Rooting Interest: Colorado State
We'll get way deep into the weeds and talk about the Mountain West Conference for a minute. Right now, Boise State is the heavy favorite to win, which means Ashton Jeanty makes the Playoffs. Fans should want this, but not Clemson. This Boise State team could be Clemson's first-round foe if they don't win the ACC or their second-round opponent if they beat Miami.
The best case for Clemson is to completely avoid the nation's most dangerous offensive weapon. Colorado State has to give itself a puncher's chance in the Mountain West title game, which means winning out. Nevada stinks, so this should be a relatively easy win.
No. 18 Pittsburgh vs. No. 20 SMU
Rooting Interest: Pittsburgh
Should Miami fall, then Clemson will face either Pitt or SMU, and bolstering their own resume will be the top priority. SMU doesn't face off with Clemson in the regular season, but we will see Clemson visit Pitt on Nov. 16. I could be swayed to say either team should draw a rooting interest, but I think Pitt is the better draw in a rematch.
Part of that is Clemson should want the highest seed possible for matchup's sake and location preference. Pitt can have a stronger resume than SMU because their only two losses may end up being to Clemson. SMU cannot say the same.
