Written by Brett Korpi
In the second week of the CFP top 25 rankings, the ACC still has a strong presence with five teams ranked in the top 20, including two in the top 6. Let’s a look at the teams and their chances going forward.
No. 2 Clemson (9-0,6-0)
Last Week: 2
Remaining Schedule:
Pitt (5-4, 2-3)
@ Wake Forest (6-3, 3-4)
South Carolina (5-4, 3-4 SEC)
After an absolute mauling of Syracuse,54-0, last Saturday, the Tigers look to build momentum in November. With three middling teams coming up, Clemson should should be in good shape heading into a presumed ACC Championship Game and another CFP run.
Concerns:
Head coach Dabo Swinney and his team came out of a rough October unscathed. They were taken to the brink against both Louisville, and Florida State but were able to rally for fourth quarter victories. They also had a little bit of luck on their side escaping an overtime upset bid by N.C. State due to a missed field goal. The Tigers have shown chinks in their armor, however, this veteran team has shown the ability to persevere and win games. They will need quarterback Deshaun Watson to finish out his final season living up to the high expectations heading into the season. He has been mistake prone at times and in those close games in October almost beat himself.
CFP Outlook:
Clemson controls their own destiny. If the rest of the season goes chalk, the No. 2 Tigers could be looking at a National Championship rematch against No. 1 Alabama. The Tigers next real test will be the ACC Championship game.
No. 6 Louisville
Last Week: 7
Remaining Schedule:
Wake Forest (6-3, 3-4)
@Houston (7-2, 4-2 AAC)
Kentucky (4-3, 5-4)
After being ranked outside the CFP top 4 last week, the Cardinals went up to Chestnut Hill to make a statement. Posting a 52-7 win over Boston College. From the first possession it was clear Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson and his teammates were sending a message to the CFP committee. They were not listening however, moving the Cardinals up just one spot after Texas A&M lost.
Concerns:
With their lone loss coming against Clemson, it was thought that the committee would look highly upon the Cardinals. However, their weak schedule, outside the Tigers and Florida State, and close calls against Duke and Virginia, seem to be holding them back.
CFP Outlook:
With the committee putting such a strong emphasis on strength of schedule, head coach Bobby Petrino and his team are on the outside looking in. Even if they win out they will not be able to boost their strength of schedule much. Houston has lost twice and the game will not be as big as was once considered. Thus, they will need a lot of help in order to get in the top 4. The most realistic route would be for both Washington and Ohio State to lose, and for the committee too look past any two loss teams that they may think have a better resume.
No. 14 Virginia Tech (7-2, 5-1)
Last Week: 19
Remaining Schedule:
Georgia Tech (5-4, 2-4)
Notre Dame (3-6)
Virginia (2-7, 1-4)
The Hokies and first year head coach Justin Fuente have put together quite a nice season. With a win over Georgia Tech they will be able to book tickets for Orlando and the ACC Championship.
Concerns:
Virginia Tech’s only marquee win was against UNC. With losses to Tennessee, in the Battle at Bristol, and Syracuse.
CFP Outlook:
The only chance the Hokies have to even be considered for the CFP would be to win the ACC Championship against Clemson. Even then with the ACC not being rated as high at the Big Ten or SEC, a two loss champion would be very unlikely unless a whole mess is made in the next few weeks. However, Fuente’s team should be playing for next year and laying a solid foundation for the future.
(Note: No. 17 North Carolina lost to Duke and their CFP hopes are null and are not included.)
No. 18 Florida State (6-3,3-3)
Last Week: 22
Remaining Schedule:
Boston College (4-5, 1-5)
@ Syracuse (4-5, 2-3)
Florida (6-2, 4-2 SEC)
After suffering losses to Louisville, Clemson and UNC the ‘Noles will be looking to finish the season strong and avoid any more stumbles.
Concerns:
The defense has not been as good as advertised on a consistent basis and has turned this season into a disappointment.
CFP Outlook:
Florida State is the highest ranked three loss team, but with no shot of the CFP or even a New Year’s Six bowl, Jimbo Fisher’s team will also be looking to build for next year.
No. 2 Clemson (9-0,6-0)
Last Week: 2
Remaining Schedule:
Pitt (5-4, 2-3)
@ Wake Forest (6-3, 3-4)
South Carolina (5-4, 3-4 SEC)
After an absolute mauling of Syracuse,54-0, last Saturday, the Tigers look to build momentum in November. With three middling teams coming up, Clemson should should be in good shape heading into a presumed ACC Championship Game and another CFP run.
Concerns:
Head coach Dabo Swinney and his team came out of a rough October unscathed. They were taken to the brink against both Louisville, and Florida State but were able to rally for fourth quarter victories. They also had a little bit of luck on their side escaping an overtime upset bid by N.C. State due to a missed field goal. The Tigers have shown chinks in their armor, however, this veteran team has shown the ability to persevere and win games. They will need quarterback Deshaun Watson to finish out his final season living up to the high expectations heading into the season. He has been mistake prone at times and in those close games in October almost beat himself.
CFP Outlook:
Clemson controls their own destiny. If the rest of the season goes chalk, the No. 2 Tigers could be looking at a National Championship rematch against No. 1 Alabama. The Tigers next real test will be the ACC Championship game.
No. 6 Louisville
Last Week: 7
Remaining Schedule:
Wake Forest (6-3, 3-4)
@Houston (7-2, 4-2 AAC)
Kentucky (4-3, 5-4)
After being ranked outside the CFP top 4 last week, the Cardinals went up to Chestnut Hill to make a statement. Posting a 52-7 win over Boston College. From the first possession it was clear Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson and his teammates were sending a message to the CFP committee. They were not listening however, moving the Cardinals up just one spot after Texas A&M lost.
Concerns:
With their lone loss coming against Clemson, it was thought that the committee would look highly upon the Cardinals. However, their weak schedule, outside the Tigers and Florida State, and close calls against Duke and Virginia, seem to be holding them back.
CFP Outlook:
With the committee putting such a strong emphasis on strength of schedule, head coach Bobby Petrino and his team are on the outside looking in. Even if they win out they will not be able to boost their strength of schedule much. Houston has lost twice and the game will not be as big as was once considered. Thus, they will need a lot of help in order to get in the top 4. The most realistic route would be for both Washington and Ohio State to lose, and for the committee too look past any two loss teams that they may think have a better resume.
No. 14 Virginia Tech (7-2, 5-1)
Last Week: 19
Remaining Schedule:
Georgia Tech (5-4, 2-4)
Notre Dame (3-6)
Virginia (2-7, 1-4)
The Hokies and first year head coach Justin Fuente have put together quite a nice season. With a win over Georgia Tech they will be able to book tickets for Orlando and the ACC Championship.
Concerns:
Virginia Tech’s only marquee win was against UNC. With losses to Tennessee, in the Battle at Bristol, and Syracuse.
CFP Outlook:
The only chance the Hokies have to even be considered for the CFP would be to win the ACC Championship against Clemson. Even then with the ACC not being rated as high at the Big Ten or SEC, a two loss champion would be very unlikely unless a whole mess is made in the next few weeks. However, Fuente’s team should be playing for next year and laying a solid foundation for the future.
(Note: No. 17 North Carolina lost to Duke and their CFP hopes are null and are not included.)
No. 18 Florida State (6-3,3-3)
Last Week: 22
Remaining Schedule:
Boston College (4-5, 1-5)
@ Syracuse (4-5, 2-3)
Florida (6-2, 4-2 SEC)
After suffering losses to Louisville, Clemson and UNC the ‘Noles will be looking to finish the season strong and avoid any more stumbles.
Concerns:
The defense has not been as good as advertised on a consistent basis and has turned this season into a disappointment.
CFP Outlook:
Florida State is the highest ranked three loss team, but with no shot of the CFP or even a New Year’s Six bowl, Jimbo Fisher’s team will also be looking to build for next year.