ACC strength of schedule and rankings

[MT4125]

Rankings are supposed to be based on strength of schedule and performance? That is how Clemson, UNC and FL State got up there this year. Apparently the talking heads thought the ACC teams playing each other were worthy of top 10. So based on losses by UNC, Fl State, Pitt, Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame how tough is the ACC?

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[GamecockTears]

Smh

 

[jeff2001]

They're in the NC game and they have earned it. How hard is that to except?

 

[Proud2BAGC]

Rankings are supposed to be based on strength of schedule and performance? That is how Clemson, UNC and FL State got up there this year. Apparently the talking heads thought the ACC teams playing each other were worthy of top 10. So based on losses by UNC, Fl State, Pitt, Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame how tough is the ACC?

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Now don't get into using facts, you are going to upset the tigger fans on this board. Clemsux played 7 teams out of their 14 games with winning records (Bama played 13). Thus far those seven "tough teams" they played have gone 2-5 in bowls (one of the winners was App St). And that power house, NCSt had 4 of their 7 wins were Troy, Eastern Ky, Old Dominion and South Ala and their others were WF 3-9, Syaacuse (3-9), BC (3-9).

 

[jeff2001]

Now don't get into using facts, you are going to upset the tigger fans on this board. Clemsux played 7 teams out of their 14 games with winning records (Bama played 13). Thus far those seven "tough teams" they played have gone 2-5 in bowls (one of the winners was App St). And that power house, NCSt had 4 of their 7 wins were Troy, Eastern Ky, Old Dominion and South Ala and their others were WF 3-9, Syaacuse (3-9), BC (3-9).

Ok who should be playing bama in the NC ?

 

[MT4125]

They're in the NC game and they have earned it. How hard is that to except?

The question was not on the Clemson ranking or that they are a good team. The question is about the ACC which has lost most of its bowl games against other conferences and about the elevated rankings of UNC, etc based on their schedule against weak ACC teams.

 

[rogue cock]

Ok who should be playing bama in the NC ?

I always thought Stanford was the 4th best team. Balanced team with a tough schedule.

 

[Cock_Donor]

They're in the NC game and they have earned it. How hard is that to except?

Pretty easy if people are willing to reject it.

 

[SCsandlapper]

i

Rankings are supposed to be based on strength of schedule and performance? That is how Clemson, UNC and FL State got up there this year. Apparently the talking heads thought the ACC teams playing each other were worthy of top 10. So based on losses by UNC, Fl State, Pitt, Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame how tough is the ACC?

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Is this another "get your pom poms out cause we play in the SEC" post? We didn't win a lot (1 I believe) of championships in the acc, and less in the sec, so conference affiliation doesn't mean much to me. I'd prefer winning in the MEAC or Mountain West and be playing in the NCG than lose and sit at home.

 

[Proud2BAGC]

Rankings are supposed to be based on strength of schedule and performance? That is how Clemson, UNC and FL State got up there this year. Apparently the talking heads thought the ACC teams playing each other were worthy of top 10. So based on losses by UNC, Fl State, Pitt, Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame how tough is the ACC?

Options:​

Now don't get into using facts. Clemsux played 7 teams out of their 14 games with winning records (Bama played 13). Thus far those seven "tough teams" they played have gone 2-5 in bowls (one of the winners was App St). And that power house,, NCSt, 4 of their 7 wins were Troy, Eastern Ky, Old Dominion and South Ala and their others were WF 3-9, Syaacuse (3-9), BC (3-9).

 

[gamecockdad]

Rankings are supposed to be based on strength of schedule and performance? That is how Clemson, UNC and FL State got up there this year. Apparently the talking heads thought the ACC teams playing each other were worthy of top 10. So based on losses by UNC, Fl State, Pitt, Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame how tough is the ACC?

Options:​

Keep spinning it dude..I guess the "Oklahoma didn't really want to be there" seemed like too much of a stretch.

 

[MT4125]

Keep spinning it dude..I guess the "Oklahoma didn't really want to be there" seemed like too much of a stretch.

We are talking about the ACC. What does that have to do with Oklahoma???

 

[cockfight#]

They're in the NC game and they have earned it. How hard is that to except?

I guess for some not very hard at all. What the OP is saying is the committee ranks teams based off on field results and strength of schedule. Clemson strength of schedule was rated high based off the wins of the teams he listed. Looking at how those top ten powerhouses did in the bowl games playing teams not in the ACC puts into question Clemson strength of schedule. Bottom line, Would the committee have placed Clemson in their final 4 even with a 13-0 record if they view their schedule as weak?
Nothing changes the fact that Clemson is in the national championship game, but IMHO everyone has a right to determine if they earned it.
That being said, you have all rights to bash, ridicule, or what ever you want to call it to people like the OP, you think they earned it, but he questions it. Spurs Up

 

[mauze1]

They're in the NC game and they have earned it. How hard is that to except?

I don't disagree with you. Clemson surely deserves to be there. I just think they should have to play more than a 2 game schedule. I think the strength of schedule should be more important than it is. We can see now that neither FSU or Notre Dame are really that good. SEC teams are miss-matches with similar record, ACC schools. The lone exception was Louisville. A&M was a little short handed, but Louisville improved quite a bit.

Hopefully UNC, FSU, State, VPI and Louisville will improve to give the conference some balance. But Clemson is at least one of the top 4 in the nation. I would have voted for Stanford over Oklahoma just because of strength of schedule..

 

[maggie1j]

I don't disagree with you. Clemson surely deserves to be there. I just think they should have to play more than a 2 game schedule. I think the strength of schedule should be more important than it is. We can see now that neither FSU or Notre Dame are really that good. SEC teams are miss-matches with similar record, ACC schools. The lone exception was Louisville. A&M was a little short handed, but Louisville improved quite a bit.

Hopefully UNC, FSU, State, VPI and Louisville will improve to give the conference some balance. But Clemson is at least one of the top 4 in the nation. I would have voted for Stanford over Oklahoma just because of strength of schedule..

FSU killed the SEC east Champion.
They lost to Houston who was obviuosly really good. Good grief the SEC had a nice run where you all road Bama's, Florida, Auburns, LSU's coat tails. It has been over a few years if you just take an honest look. Maybe they will be better next year?
But forget conference! Head to Head Clemson has beaten every team every conference they faced.
( yes this thread was about Clemson)

 

[MANAFOLD]

Stanford with next year's Heisman winner or Mississippi should be playing Bama. Both would defeat Clemson. Bama will do to Clemson what Clemson did to Oklahoma. Clemson wont be playing the Blue Goats this time for the ACC title.The Taters will see why it is so hard to win an SEC championship.

 

[SchmidtyNole]

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. Clemson is one of our Rivals too. But good grief, I understand not wanting your Rival to win, but it's another thing to spin delusional comments like what I am seeing here.

The bottom line is Clemson is 14-0. Everyone thought Oklahoma would beat them to prove Clemson didn't deserve to be there including many on this board. They didn't. Clemson won by 20. Now people are still trying to spin it that Clemson didn't deserve to be there or Clemson isn't really that good or pointing to Bowl results to spin that Clemson's strength of schedule is weak.

Ole Miss lost to Memphis. Arkansas lost to Toledo. Auburn only beat Jacksonville State (an FCS School) by 7 points in OT. Texas A&M lost to Louisville. That is half of Bama's SEC schedule right there.

You are pointing to FSU's loss to Houston as proof that Clemson plays a weak schedule? Well, then what does that say about Florida and the entire SEC East? To me it is proof of the fact that Houston is a damn good team and they'd probably whip the majority of the teams in the SEC. They whipped Vanderbilt 34-0. That is a highest margin of victory against Vandy than any SEC team Vandy lost too.

Just admit that Clemson is a good team and give credit where credit is due. Just because they are a rival doesn't mean you can't do that.

 

[robertfootball]

FSU killed the SEC east Champion.
They lost to Houston who was obviuosly really good. Good grief the SEC had a nice run where you all road Bama's, Florida, Auburns, LSU's coat tails. It has been over a few years if you just take an honest look. Maybe they will be better next year?
But forget conference! Head to Head Clemson has beaten every team every conference they faced.
( yes this thread was about Clemson)

When did you beat West Virginia?

 

[spinrbait]

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. Clemson is one of our Rivals too. But good grief, I understand not wanting your Rival to win, but it's another thing to spin delusional comments like what I am seeing here.

The bottom line is Clemson is 14-0. Everyone thought Oklahoma would beat them to prove Clemson didn't deserve to be there including many on this board. They didn't. Clemson won by 20. Now people are still trying to spin it that Clemson didn't deserve to be there or Clemson isn't really that good or pointing to Bowl results to spin that Clemson's strength of schedule is weak.

Ole Miss lost to Memphis. Arkansas lost to Toledo. Auburn only beat Jacksonville State (an FCS School) by 7 points in OT. Texas A&M lost to Louisville. That is half of Bama's SEC schedule right there.

You are pointing to FSU's loss to Houston as proof that Clemson plays a weak schedule? Well, then what does that say about Florida and the entire SEC East? To me it is proof of the fact that Houston is a damn good team and they'd probably whip the majority of the teams in the SEC. They whipped Vanderbilt 34-0. That is a highest margin of victory against Vandy than any SEC team Vandy lost too.

Just admit that Clemson is a good team and give credit where credit is due. Just because they are a rival doesn't mean you can't do that.

florida was a great team this year when they had their starting quarterback. when florida lost him, they weren't the same team. sure fsu beat florida. and good for you. but to pretend it was the same team that won all the games to win the eastern division is deluding yourself.

here is the fact, we beat the coastal champion. we lost to the acc champion by 5. the acc is a two bit conference, and everybody knows it.

 

[robertfootball]

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. Clemson is one of our Rivals too. But good grief, I understand not wanting your Rival to win, but it's another thing to spin delusional comments like what I am seeing here.

The bottom line is Clemson is 14-0. Everyone thought Oklahoma would beat them to prove Clemson didn't deserve to be there including many on this board. They didn't. Clemson won by 20. Now people are still trying to spin it that Clemson didn't deserve to be there or Clemson isn't really that good or pointing to Bowl results to spin that Clemson's strength of schedule is weak.

Ole Miss lost to Memphis. Arkansas lost to Toledo. Auburn only beat Jacksonville State (an FCS School) by 7 points in OT. Texas A&M lost to Louisville. That is half of Bama's SEC schedule right there.

You are pointing to FSU's loss to Houston as proof that Clemson plays a weak schedule? Well, then what does that say about Florida and the entire SEC East? To me it is proof of the fact that Houston is a damn good team and they'd probably whip the majority of the teams in the SEC. They whipped Vanderbilt 34-0. That is a highest margin of victory against Vandy than any SEC team Vandy lost too.

Just admit that Clemson is a good team and give credit where credit is due. Just because they are a rival doesn't mean you can't do that.

Where is all this we guaranteed an Oklahoma win crao coming from? Yeah SOME thought that but not everyone like is being claimed. Oklahoma losing to Clemson didn't surprise me really, that doesn't mean I wasn't pulling for them. Now, I'm definitely on record in saying that Clemson will NOT beat Alabama. They might lose by 1 or by 30 but a loss is a loss. As much as people are saying Clemson is a bad matchup for Bama and pointing to the Ole Miss game they forget that Coker wasn't even the full time starter in that game. Bama presents Clemson with plenty of sleepless nights don't worry. I honestly hope Clemson walks in to that game with the same mindset their fans have and that's just strolling in Arizona and Bama will back down and hand them the trophy and Clemson can pound their chest. No sir, Clemson better have their you know what screwed on tight or else they'll get punked.

 

[cockfight#]

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. Clemson is one of our Rivals too. But good grief, I understand not wanting your Rival to win, but it's another thing to spin delusional comments like what I am seeing here.

The bottom line is Clemson is 14-0. Everyone thought Oklahoma would beat them to prove Clemson didn't deserve to be there including many on this board. They didn't. Clemson won by 20. Now people are still trying to spin it that Clemson didn't deserve to be there or Clemson isn't really that good or pointing to Bowl results to spin that Clemson's strength of schedule is weak.

Ole Miss lost to Memphis. Arkansas lost to Toledo. Auburn only beat Jacksonville State (an FCS School) by 7 points in OT. Texas A&M lost to Louisville. That is half of Bama's SEC schedule right there.

You are pointing to FSU's loss to Houston as proof that Clemson plays a weak schedule? Well, then what does that say about Florida and the entire SEC East? To me it is proof of the fact that Houston is a damn good team and they'd probably whip the majority of the teams in the SEC. They whipped Vanderbilt 34-0. That is a highest margin of victory against Vandy than any SEC team Vandy lost too.

Just admit that Clemson is a good team and give credit where credit is due. Just because they are a rival doesn't mean you can't do that.

Good points that I can give you a counterpoint on but I will just respond with this shorter note. All of these SEC schools paid the price for these losses or will in the polls (example Auburn was #7 and won in OT but dropped to #17, your team lost to 3-9 Ga. Tech and still ended up in the top ten with 2 losses). Ole Miss. was #23 in the polls but I believe they should have been in the top 15 (a lot of this was due to all the "SEC is down " talk). While I will agree that SEC teams who recruit at the level you see in the rankings should never lose to teams like these but it does happen. SEC fans and team talk about how brutal the SEC is and how it wears teams down and I believe that is true, fans from other conferences tell us that is just whining. Dabo and some Clemson fans toe the line on that except when asked why his/their defense was given up points and yards in games at the end of their schedule. The answer was... We have played a brutal schedule which included having to play 10 games in row without a break. Imagine that, maybe there is something about playing a brutal schedule.
IMHO I believe Clemson is a good team with a great QB and a good team with a great QB can win the NC. That being said ROLL TIDE/Spurs Up

 

[lazenge44]

What has the SEC East done? Vandy, Mizzou, and KY failed to get a bowl bid along with the Gamecocks. Division champ UF got steam rolled at home to FSU to end the regular season and then gave Bama fits before getting steam rolled again in their bowl game . UT won impressively over a private school from the Big 10. Georgia is tied at 3 after firing their coach.

 

[mauze1]

FSU killed the SEC east Champion.
They lost to Houston who was obviuosly really good. Good grief the SEC had a nice run where you all road Bama's, Florida, Auburns, LSU's coat tails. It has been over a few years if you just take an honest look. Maybe they will be better next year?
But forget conference! Head to Head Clemson has beaten every team every conference they faced.
( yes this thread was about Clemson)

Florida was way over rated, all year. They were lucky against Tennessee and then beat LSU who we all thought was great at the time. But don't kid yourself, the SEC except for two games has done well in the bowl match ups. Bama player 13 teams with winning records. Clemson played 7. 4 of Clemson's games were against teams finishing 3-9. Granted, the best teams are in the West, this year. But make no mistake, the SEC is a bunch tougher venue than the ACC. Clemson beat an LSU team who would have rather been somewhere else. The same Clemson team who lost not a close game to SC, and followed with a win over Georgia and Auburn who had a losing record. Just listening to Dabo bragging, that's right bragging, about beating 3 SEC teams, should tell you something.

You might think Houston is great but they did get beat by Temple. Face it, Clemson played a 2 game schedule. Had they been in the SEC they would not be undefeated! But they still deserve to be in the playoffs.

 

[robertfootball]

What has the SEC East done? Vandy, Mizzou, and KY failed to get a bowl bid along with the Gamecocks. Division champ UF got steam rolled at home to FSU to end the regular season and then gave Bama fits before getting steam rolled again in their bowl game . UT won impressively over a private school from the Big 10. Georgia is tied at 3 after firing their coach.

Do you really want to compare the ACC to the SECE? You really wanna go there? At least Florida lost to one of your top wins. Who punked UNC the division champs? I'll give you a hint, their campus is in Columbia. How many ACC teams didn't make bowls? You get your chance to show once and for all that the ACC is the real deal in a little over a week. #1ACC vs #1SEC. Winner takes all. You're on the big stage, tater. Try not to crap your pants.

 

[jeff2001]

What has the SEC East done? Vandy, Mizzou, and KY failed to get a bowl bid along with the Gamecocks. Division champ UF got steam rolled at home to FSU to end the regular season and then gave Bama fits before getting steam rolled again in their bowl game . UT won impressively over a private school from the Big 10. Georgia is tied at 3 after firing their coach.

Agree, it's the Same gamecock fans everyday trying to convince anybody who will listen. Clemson is overrated. Some are just blind .

 

[robertfootball]

Agree, it's the Same gamecock fans everyday trying to convince anybody who will listen. Clemson is overrated. Some are just blind .

They're not overrated but they aren't the champions yet so quit trying to give it to them before they've EARNED it. They've been calling for Bama since the middle of the season. The problem is I don't think they thought they'd really have to face them. Ooops.lol

 

[mauze1]

Agree, it's the Same gamecock fans everyday trying to convince anybody who will listen. Clemson is overrated. Some are just blind .

Agree and the Ckemson fans did the same thing when we were # 4. Or, are you oblivious to that?

 

[kb851]

They are good.

Alabama will be by far the best team they have played though.

Whereas Clemson will not be by far the best team Alabama has played.

In spite of bowl losses...FSU, Notre Dame and even NC were pretty good. Louisville was decent as well, and their bowl opponent, OU, was really good, although I did think a bit over rated.

Alabama did indeed lose to a good Mississippi team. And they beat several teams similar to the NCs and FSUs...namely LSU, Miss State, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia...and even TX AM. Michigan State was also really good, but matchup crushed them and Alabama played really well, making MSU look mediocre. Hell, even Arkansas and Auburn had players...and mid to lower level SEC teams are simply stronger than similar ACC teams.

Clemson can win...but this is a more major step up.

 

[cockfight#]

What has the SEC East done? Vandy, Mizzou, and KY failed to get a bowl bid along with the Gamecocks. Division champ UF got steam rolled at home to FSU to end the regular season and then gave Bama fits before getting steam rolled again in their bowl game . UT won impressively over a private school from the Big 10. Georgia is tied at 3 after firing their coach.

Not much in conference, but if Ga. hold on and beats Penn State the SEC East will be a pitiful 9-2 in their last 9 bowl games. Yep, total embarrassment Spurs Up

 

[LifelongFan81]

I don't understand the we are in the "sec" argument that you guys make. Believe me you guys would be way better off in another conference. Believe me, when it comes to football, the SEC would be better off with you guys not in it. You've yet to do anything in all the years you have been in it. You've yet to win a championship and it seems highly unlikely you ever will. This year you will be ahead of only Vandy when it comes to recruiting. It's a curse for you guys and you are to dumb to see it. Alabama winning a National Championship means you've still accomplished nothing. They get stronger and you stay the same. Maybe being in the SEC is keeping you back. Texas A and M and Missouri both dominated when they first came in. I mean right out the gate. Now they are struggling. Maybe the SEC is not the place to be. I know it's not for SC. Clemson has been in the ACC forever. Dabo and Jimbo can't take their staffs and coach all the other teams. It is what it is, but nobody should apologize for the conference they are in...... Except for SC!

 

[kissthat1]

florida was a great team this year when they had their starting quarterback. when florida lost him, they weren't the same team. sure fsu beat florida. and good for you. but to pretend it was the same team that won all the games to win the eastern division is deluding yourself.

here is the fact, we beat the coastal champion. we lost to the acc champion by 5. the acc is a two bit conference, and everybody knows it.

You also lost to the Citadel . The whole bunch in this thread are laughable. The age old conference is always the last grasp of a bottom feeder 2-9 team ,staring straight at 5-7 2016 season.Which ACC team does South Carolina have a winning record against ? Any ?

 

[robertfootball]

I don't understand the we are in the "sec" argument that you guys make. Believe me you guys would be way better off in another conference. Believe me, when it comes to football, the SEC would be better off with you guys not in it. You've yet to do anything in all the years you have been in it. You've yet to win a championship and it seems highly unlikely you ever will. This year you will be ahead of only Vandy when it comes to recruiting. It's a curse for you guys and you are to dumb to see it. Alabama winning a National Championship means you've still accomplished nothing. They get stronger and you stay the same. Maybe being in the SEC is keeping you back. Texas A and M and Missouri both dominated when they first came in. I mean right out the gate. Now they are struggling. Maybe the SEC is not the place to be. I know it's not for SC. Clemson has been in the ACC forever. Dabo and Jimbo can't take their staffs and coach all the other teams. It is what it is, but nobody should apologize for the conference they are in...... Except for SC!

If the SEC is so bad why were Clemson fans begging to join when all the conference re-alignment was happening? Why'd you want to go to the Big 12 and get out of the ACC? You taters were begging to get out of it! How do you not remember that?

 

[hencock]

Members, you better think twice before you say anything bad about Clemson on this board or Jeff2001 will hit you in the eye with his IPTAY card. The OP simply asked "how tough is the ACC"? Good lord.........

 

[robertfootball]

You also lost to the Citadel . The whole bunch in this thread are laughable. The age old conference is always the last grasp of a bottom feeder 2-9 team ,staring straight at 5-7 2016 season.Which ACC team does South Carolina have a winning record against ? Any ?

Plays in national championship next week for the first time in decades.

Decided to come over to his rivals board to talk crap instead.

Clemsoning.

 

[cockynSC66]

Conference homers. Clemson stands on it's own. What conference they play in is irrelevant at this point. Oklahoma was supposed to kill them according to the vast majority of this board...oops.

 

[jeff2001]

Agree and the Ckemson fans did the same thing when we were # 4. Or, are you oblivious to that?

O yeah, the dumb 1s. And now some of us are acting the same way.

 

[robertfootball]

Conference homers. Clemson stands on it's own. What conference they play in is irrelevant at this point. Oklahoma was supposed to kill them according to the vast majority of this board...oops.

Half the country doesn't even know where the hell "Clemson" is. I heard one girl on the main board claim "they seem like a clean program, I'm gonna pull for them." Apparently she hasn't heard of all the skeletons in your closet and the recent drug bust. Clean.....lmao!

 

[gspscfan]

florida was a great team this year when they had their starting quarterback. when florida lost him, they weren't the same team. sure fsu beat florida. and good for you. but to pretend it was the same team that won all the games to win the eastern division is deluding yourself.

here is the fact, we beat the coastal champion. we lost to the acc champion by 5. the acc is a two bit conference, and everybody knows it.

AGREE SPIN

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. Clemson is one of our Rivals too. But good grief, I understand not wanting your Rival to win, but it's another thing to spin delusional comments like what I am seeing here.

The bottom line is Clemson is 14-0. Everyone thought Oklahoma would beat them to prove Clemson didn't deserve to be there including many on this board. They didn't. Clemson won by 20. Now people are still trying to spin it that Clemson didn't deserve to be there or Clemson isn't really that good or pointing to Bowl results to spin that Clemson's strength of schedule is weak.

Ole Miss lost to Memphis. Arkansas lost to Toledo. Auburn only beat Jacksonville State (an FCS School) by 7 points in OT. Texas A&M lost to Louisville. That is half of Bama's SEC schedule right there.

You are pointing to FSU's loss to Houston as proof that Clemson plays a weak schedule? Well, then what does that say about Florida and the entire SEC East? To me it is proof of the fact that Houston is a damn good team and they'd probably whip the majority of the teams in the SEC. They whipped Vanderbilt 34-0. That is a highest margin of victory against Vandy than any SEC team Vandy lost too.

Just admit that Clemson is a good team and give credit where credit is due. Just because they are a rival doesn't mean you can't do that.

HEY NOLE I AGREE CLEMSON IS AGOOD TEAM BUT WHY DON'T YOU AND BIG BAD CLEMSON TRY PLAYING A SEC TEAM EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER WEEK SEE WHERE YOU LAND AND IF THE TATERS BEAT ALA NEXT WEEK THEN I'LL GIVE THEM CREDIT

 

[LifelongFan81]

If the SEC is so bad why were Clemson fans begging to join when all the conference re-alignment was happening? Why'd you want to go to the Big 12 and get out of the ACC? You taters were begging to get out of it! How do you not remember that?

I think it would have been great to be in the SEC for Clemson at the time. But when the playoffs started, belonging in a certain conference is now obsolete. As long as you are in a power 5 and you take care of yourself you will have a seat at the table. I think the stranglehold that the SEC supposedly had over recruits will diminish as well. The ACC champion will more than likely always find a spot in the playoffs. I think Clemson is more than fine with that.

 

[SchmidtyNole]

Florida was way over rated, all year. They were lucky against Tennessee and then beat LSU who we all thought was great at the time. But don't kid yourself, the SEC except for two games has done well in the bowl match ups. Bama player 13 teams with winning records. Clemson played 7. 4 of Clemson's games were against teams finishing 3-9. Granted, the best teams are in the West, this year. But make no mistake, the SEC is a bunch tougher venue than the ACC. Clemson beat an LSU team who would have rather been somewhere else. The same Clemson team who lost not a close game to SC, and followed with a win over Georgia and Auburn who had a losing record. Just listening to Dabo bragging, that's right bragging, about beating 3 SEC teams, should tell you something.

You might think Houston is great but they did get beat by Temple. Face it, Clemson played a 2 game schedule. Had they been in the SEC they would not be undefeated! But they still deserve to be in the playoffs.

Houston didn't get beat by Temple. They beat Temple 24-13 in the AAC Championship game. Houston's loss was to UConn on the road with their starting Quarterback hurt.