Updated Clemson Bowl Projections following South Carolina win
We won't know for sure until after Championship Weekend, but we're getting a clearer view of Clemson's bowl possibilities following their 16-7 win over South Carolina this past Saturday.
The win bumped the Tigers up to 8-4, even with North Carolina whom they beat a couple of weeks ago. Three teams are ahead of the Tigers in the standings; 12-0 Florida State, 10-2 Louisville, and 9-3 N.C. State. Even if Florida State were to win the ACC Championship, it's a toss-up as to whether they would make the College Football Playoff. If they aren't selected, they will head to the Capital One Orange Bowl. That would then bump Louisville to a non-NY6 bowl, sliding everyone else back.
Cade Klubnik in last season's Capital One Orange Bowl
Outside of the Orange Bowl, which takes the best non-CFP team from the ACC, there are no predetermined slots. Instead, the ACC-affiliated bowls extend invitations to the teams they feel would draw the most attention [ticket sales] to their game.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach has the Tigers playing against Oregon State in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl (12/27 - Petco Park - San Diego 8 p.m., Fox), while Kyle Bonagura projects the Tigers to Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl (12/29 - Yankee Stadium - New York 2:15 p.m., ESPN) to take on Rutgers.
