Top 25 college football impact games that could effect No. 9 Clemson Tigers in Week 9

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 19: Adon Shuler #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish returns a pick six against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are enjoying a bye week after going 3-0 in October to head into the final month of the regular season with six straight victories.

Cade Klubnik, Phil Mafah and the Tigers are 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the ACC. Clemson is ranked No. 9 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

While the Tigers are idle in Week 9, there are several Top 25 games that could impact Clemson going forward — and have season-lasting ramifications on the College Football Playoff race.

Here are a few games to keep an eye on Saturday.

No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 24 Navy Midshipmen

Where: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Kickoff: noon ET (ABC)

To put it simply, Notre Dame is out of the College Football Playoff race if the Irish lose again. They have one loss already, a stunning 16-14 upset to Northern Illinois in Week 2. A second loss could benefit Clemson, if the Tigers get to the ACC Championship Game and suffer a close defeat (presumably against Miami).

Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 5 Miami Hurricanes

Where: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Yes, the Seminoles have been abysmal this year as Mike Norvell’s offseason transfer portal gambit has backfired in a big way. There’s no chance of them beating the rival Hurricanes in Week 9, right? Probably not. But Cam Ward and the ‘Canes have had close calls in each of their last three games, and Mario Cristobal’s defense has not looked right since their Week 4 win at South Florida over a month ago. How much longer can Miami keep winning shootouts?

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/top-25-college-football-impact-164042680.html

Author : Clemson Wire

Publish date : 2024-10-25 16:40:42

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