A few seasons ago, if someone had asked whether the Clemson Tigers would make the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, the answer would have been an unquestionable “yes.” But recent years have cast doubt on Clemson’s dominance.
Until this season, Clemson had not made the College Football Playoff since 2020, when they lost to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Since then, the Tigers have faced three straight seasons with at least three losses, including a four-loss season last year and another three losses this year, despite making it back to the playoff.
In the four-team playoff era, Clemson was a constant contender, regularly securing a spot in the exclusive field. However, with the 12-team field this season, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers needed some luck and grit to earn their spot.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, Clemson’s playoff chances relied on an upset. They needed Syracuse to beat Miami to make it to the ACC Championship Game, a scenario that seemed unlikely but came to pass. After that, they had to defeat SMU in the ACC title game to secure their playoff spot. They succeeded in both.
Now, ranked No. 16, Clemson heads to Austin, Texas, to face No. 3 Texas in a first-round playoff game. This matchup highlights the unique opportunities presented by the expanded playoff, allowing teams like Clemson—who might not have made it under the old system—a chance to compete.
Clemson earned the 12th seed as the ACC champion, a spot reserved for the top five conference champions under the new format. While some may argue Clemson’s inclusion is a result of the field expansion rather than their dominance, they shouldn’t be written off entirely.
However, Clemson does have flaws—most notably their inconsistent running game. Despite averaging over 170 rushing yards per game, their struggles on the ground have been a major issue in their losses this season.
When analyzing their three losses—against Georgia, Louisville, and South Carolina—a clear pattern emerges: a lack of a consistent rushing attack. In these games, the Tigers only scored four rushing touchdowns, contributing to their struggles. In their season opener against Georgia, Clemson failed to score a rushing touchdown, finishing with just 46 rushing yards—its lowest of the season. Against Louisville, the Tigers managed two late rushing touchdowns on a combined 222 yards but still struggled to convert on the ground when it mattered most. And against South Carolina, they managed 139 rushing yards but couldn’t turn those yards into meaningful points.
The rushing issues were evident in other key games as well. In a close matchup with Pitt, Clemson managed just 58 rushing yards, most of which came from a 50-yard run by quarterback Klubnik late in the game. In the ACC Championship against SMU, they were limited to 64 rushing yards with only one touchdown.
With Texas boasting the No. 14-ranked rushing defense, holding opponents to just 106.4 yards per game, Clemson faces a significant challenge. To succeed in the playoff, they’ll need to establish a solid running game. While quarterback Klubnik has been effective both with his arm and legs, Clemson will need a balanced offensive attack to counter Texas’s formidable defensive front. A one-dimensional offense will likely play right into the Longhorns’ hands.
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