CLEMSON - If Cade Klubnik was told on Saturday he was in a “win and in” situation for the College Football Playoff, he’d certainly take it.
Maybe the path to get there wouldn’t be the desired route, but nonetheless, Clemson’s path to its first College Football Playoff appearance since 2020 is straightforward. Take down SMU in Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium (8 p.m./ABC), and it just comes down to where you slot within the 12-team rankings. An automatic bid as one of the five highest-ranked conference champs certainly leaves no doubt the Tigers will be in the big dance, but there certainly was uncertainty on what exactly Clemson’s chances were after a loss to South Carolina.