Scarlet and Game
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Answering the biggest potential ‘What Ifs’ of the playoff picture

By Blake Biscardi

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers throws the ball during a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers throws the ball during a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

What if Clemson stumbles, but still wins the ACC and Georgia upsets Alabama with all teams finishing 12-1? 

Clemson’s toughest remaining game is, uh, they don’t have one. But hypothetically if the Tigers were to stumble I think they could very well be on the outside looking in.

Texas A&M will be their lone quality win and there’s no guarantee the Aggies don’t lose four or five games with their gauntlet of a schedule.

Truth be told, with a loss Clemson’s fate may depend on the outcomes of the rest of the conferences. The ACC is embarrassingly weak this year and if the Tigers can’t take care of business how can they be labeled as one of the four best teams?

Clemson hasn’t even looked all that impressive this year. Sure, they will start rolling teams and looking crisp in the process but so far I’m not convinced they’re the No. 1 team in America.

Of course they’re ranked atop the standings because they’re the defending champions, but once more data points from other teams become available don’t be surprised to see changes made.

Playoff Picks: Ohio State vs Alabama and Georgia vs Oklahoma.

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