Clemson Projected to Enter CFP as Number One Seed

Summertime is rapidly approaching and that means college football projections.

One of the first to come out are from Brad Crawford at 247Sports and it will come as no surprise that the longtime college football writer has Clemson making a seventh consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff.

What may surprise some is the fact that he has the Tigers going in as the No. 1 seed, as Crawford projects Clemson to the Orange Bowl along with Oklahoma.

Orange Bowl:  No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma

“If Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are able to return to the final four as the nation’s No. 1 seed, that means Clemson runs through its ACC gauntlet unbeaten and handles Georgia in a seismic season opener in Charlotte on Sept. 4. And that’s not a stretch considering the defensive talent returning up front and the coaching staff’s expectation they won’t miss a beat in the post-Trevor Lawrence era at quarterback with DJ Uiagalelei assuming the QB1 role. The bigger guess here, as always, is determining the Playoff’s No. 4 seed. This could be Lincoln Riley’s best team in Norman with Heisman frontrunner Spencer Rattler under center and a wealth of leadership back on the other side of the football. Last season marked the first time in four years the Sooners missed out on a semifinal appearance.”

Crawford is also predicting another Clemson and Alabama showdown in the national title game, set to be played in Indianapolis.

National Championship: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 2 Alabama 

“For the first time in Playoff history, next season’s national title game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. One thing that won’t change however are the two teams we expect to advance to the finals. Equipped with potential Heisman finalists as first-year starters at quarterback, the Tigers and Crimson Tide should be able to overcome their respective schedules — challenging in spots — and get to the final contest with a trophy on the line. At that point, Alabama could be riding a winning streak that is nearing 30 games.”