If you thought the 2024 college football season couldn’t possibly get any chaotic, Clemson just proved you wrong in the most epic, head-spinning way possible. “Thank you, Jesus,” were the exact words of the Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after their miraculous victory. In a game that felt more like a hold-my-beer moment than an actual fight for the conference title, Clemson’s 34-31 win over SMU in the ACC championship game was a nail-biting thriller that has left the analysts and experts gasping for air.

Recently, Paul Finebaum took a jab at the Tigers after witnessing Clemson’s full-flagged entry into the playoffs when it seemed like their playoff hopes were dead.

“

Even though I just got through arguing that giving it to Alabama would have blown up a conference championship game, the conference championship games really only helped one school, and that was Clemson. They got to buy a ticket in one they really don’t deserve. I mean, they want but one thing about Clemson too, though: they get a chance to finish the season with 0-3 three in the SEC.”

The Tigers will travel to Austin, Texas, to face the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns on December 21 after crushing SMU. Moreover, the Tigers are currently 0-2 against the SEC this season after falling to the Georgia Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks. Although Texas lost the conference championship game against Georgia yesterday, they hold pretty cool chances to beat the Tigers in the upcoming game.

However, Clemson had a clear 17-point lead over SMU entering the fourth quarter, and it looked like they would easily win, but SMU showed grit and mounted an epic comeback in the last 16 seconds of the game. SMU tied it up with a 16-play, 79-yard drive, capped off by a TD pass from Kelvin Jennings to Broderick Daniels Jr. So the game was tied at 31 with Clemson’s win at stake.

But out of nowhere, Clemson’s Adam Randall thrust into action and returned the ensuing kick 41 yards. Followed by that, Cade Klubnik moved into the field goal range and set up Nolan Hauser for a 56-yard attempt. Lastly, Hauser sealed the deal, sending the ba*l sailing through the uprights. So, what’s next for the Tigers? what does the playoff look like?

Clemson lands a spot in the playoffs after conference championship games

The Texas Longhorns suffered an embarrassing loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game, but their playoff image is still not dull. Despite the loss, Texas holds onto the No. 5 spot in the final college football playoff rankings, securing a home playoff game in round 1. So the Clemson Tigers are going to play against them in the December 21 showdown.

The game against the Tigers will not be easy for Steve Sarkisian’s boys. They are coming off a tough loss against the Bulldogs, where self-imposed mistakes cost them the game. Allowing a fake punt turn, missing field goals, QB not seeing the field- a lot went wrong for Texas against Georgia. However, the larger goal is still to win the natty.

If Texas beats Clemson, they are going to be facing Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Jan 1 for the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the rest of the playoff field is set, with Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State riding the top four seeds, earning the first-round byes. Winners of these games will go to the quarterfinals on December 31st and January 1st.