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Assessing the CFB Playoff threat level: Clemson, Oklahoma and Michigan State
Published:
Each week, we’ll take a look at the credible and not-so-credible threats to freeze-out the SEC from the College Football Playoff.
Finally! We’ve reached the end of the college football regular season. The temperature outside has reached a new low along with the number of potential playoff suitors. We’re down to four great teams with a chance to win the national championship, and every one of these teams deserves to be in the playoff field.
Scanning the good guy: Alabama won its third SEC title in four years by dominating Florida in the SEC championship game. Its defense held the Gators offense to only 180 yards of total offense and only 15 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Florida also went 0-11 on third down and 0-1 on fourth down, and QB Treon Harris was sacked five times. On the other hand, Alabama possessed the ball for over 43 minutes.
THREAT LEVEL: FROSTBITE WARNING
Below zero degrees. Could lose a finger if you’re stuck outside too long.
Michigan State: The Spartans are one of the toughest teams in the country, and they displayed their blue-collar mentality on their winning touchdown drive against Iowa, which consisted of 22 plays and lasted more than nine minutes in the fourth quarter. Michigan State has also proven that it can defeat top-tier teams with road wins against Michigan and Ohio State.
Clemson: The Tigers are the ACC champions and are the nation’s only undefeated team. Clemson also leads the nation in game control, according to ESPN stats and information. It is the only FBS team with an average win probability of at least 50 percent in each of its games this season. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson continued to lead this team last night with 420 yards of total offense and five touchdowns against a North Carolina team that couldn’t stop him. RB Wayne Gallman has the ability to shred any defense in the country. And Clemson’s defense is excellent at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Oklahoma: The Sooners have won seven games in a row since falling to Texas 24-17, and have outscored their opponents by more than 32 points per game since that loss. Oklahoma is also coming into the playoff with three consecutive wins over ranked opponents.
Chase Erickson is a contributing writer for SDS. He covers Tennessee. Follow him on Twitter @ChaseDownField.
