Clemson stayed at No. 3 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night, as expected. But the real drama surrounded Louisville, Florida State and the Capital One Orange Bowl.
If Clemson beats No. 23 Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game on Saturday night, the Tigers are a virtual lock to make the playoff. The next-highest ranked team then takes the ACC’s guaranteed spot in the Orange Bowl.
Thanks to consecutive losses to Houston and Kentucky, Louisville dropped behind Florida State for the first time this season -- despite beating the Seminoles 63-20 back in September.