College Football Playoff: Where we are halfway through the season
Oct 3, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and wide receiver Germone Hopper (5) react after the Tigers won 24-22 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
AP ranked teams: Clemson (5), Florida State (11), Duke (25)
Undefeated teams: Clemson (5-0), Florida State (5-0)
Divisions: Atlantic vs. Coastal
Division leaders:
Atlantic: 1. Florida State (3-0 in conference) 2. Clemson (2-0 in conference)
Coastal: 1. Duke (2-0 in conference) 1. Pittsburgh (2-0 in conference)
At the start of the season the ACC looked to be a three-team race among Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech. It has become a two-team race as Georgia Tech has fallen and fallen hard. The ACC’s playoff fate will likely be decided on November 7th when Florida State visits Clemson. This conference is only getting one team into the playoff and it will have to be the conference champ and likely only if that conference champ is Clemson or Florida State.
This might be too definitive, but that’s the most likely scenario. Neither team has to go undefeated, but they have a one-loss threshold and conference championship imperative. Duke has an outside shot if they run the table, but they don’t have any marquee matchups left in the regular season.
Last week’s playoff relevant results
No. 6 Clemson 43, Georgia Tech 24: Georgia Tech was thought to have the talent and scheme to cause some trouble in this game, but coming off of an emotional win against Notre Dame, Clemson was able to take care of business. An upset by Georgia Tech would have helped MSU, but Clemson controlled the entire game.
No. 12 Florida St 29, Miami 24: Trailing most of the game, Miami made a valiant comeback attempt and even took the lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Florida State was able to reclaim the lead and hang on to the victory behind their superstar running back Dalvin Cook. This was a result that almost helped MSU and then it didn’t.
Key conference games this week
- Louisville at No. 11 Florida State
- Boston College at No. 5 Clemson
Next: Big 12