ESPN has released its updated College Football Playoffs and one analyst has Clemson winning the ACC, but not making it to the Playoff.
Kyle Bonagura has Georgia playing Notre Dame in one semifinal and Alabama playing Oklahoma in the other. He also has Clemson playing in the Orange Bowl, which might not sound that bad, but it actually means he is predicting the Tigers to win the ACC, as the winner of the conference goes to that bowl game if they don't make the Playoff.
Bonagura has projected Miami to go to the Peach Bowl on January 1. The Peach Bowl — not to be confused with this year's College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta — has an at-large bid as one of the New Year's Six games.
However, it's hard to justify keeping Clemson out if they go on to win the conference title game, especially if it comes against a stout Miami team that's currently ranked No. 7 in the country (according to the AP Poll) and undefeated right now. Oklahoma has lost to Iowa State at home and would have to win out as well as win the conference championship game convincingly to really have a good shot at the Playoff.
