Who Tigers would have played in CFP under new format

CLEMSON — The College Football Playoff will undergo another change after expanding from four teams to 12 last season.

The College Football Playoff Management Committee voted May 22 to move to a straight-seeing format, where teams will be seeded Nos. 1 through 12 based on the selection committee’s rankings.

Last year’s structure allowed the top four seeds to be determined by the highest-ranked conference champions, allowing lower-ranked teams (Boise State, Arizona State) to land byes over teams that were ranked higher (Texas, Penn State).

Now, teams will be seeded in the order they are ranked with the top four seeds earning a bye in the quarterfinals. Conference champions will still get automatic bids but will be seeded based on rankings.

Clemson football made the CFP last year after winning the ACC championship to snap its three-year drought. It was a No. 12 seed and faced No. 5 seed Texas in the first round in Austin. The Longhorns beat the Tigers 38-24 to advance to the second round to face No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl

Here’s how Clemson’s CFP path would have changed with the new seeding format.

Clemson’s 2024 CFP path under new seeding format

Clemson would have remained the No. 12 seed after winning the ACC because the selection committee ranked the Tigers at No. 16. However, the Tigers would have faced No. 5 seed Notre Dame. The winner would face No. 4 seed Penn State in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals.

Clemson and Notre Dame have a storied rivalry, playing each other eight times with the Tigers leading the all-time series 5-3. The Fighting Irish are 2-1 at home vs. Clemson, winning the previous two matchups in 2020 and 2022. Clemson’s lone road win came in 1979.

Both have combined for 10 CFP appearances, including two national championships for Clemson and a championship berth for Notre Dame last…

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Publish date : 2025-05-22 19:54:00

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