Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Wade Woodaz (17) forces a fumble by Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Hykeem Williams (8) during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

ESPN picks up option on ACC contract through 2036

ESPN has agreed to exercise its option to continue broadcasting Atlantic Coast Conference sporting events through 2036, the network reported on Thursday.

ESPN had until Feb. 1 to pick up the option on a 20-year contract it signed in 2016. The deal would have ended after the 2027 season had the network declined to do so.

While the ACC board of directors voted Wednesday, ESPN reported that the conference is working on ways of creating more marquee games in football and men’s basketball. Those “value adds” are expected to help increase a new revenue distribution model as the ACC works toward a settlement with Clemson and Florida State.

Per ESPN, a proposed plan has a percentage of the ACC’s television revenue included in a “brand” fund — with that money going to schools that annually generate the most revenue for the league in football and men’s and women’s basketball.

Should that come to fruition, Clemson and Florida State likely would drop lawsuits that they currently have against the conference. The Tigers and Seminoles are suing the ACC in an attempt to back out of the conference’s grant of rights.

With the grant of rights, which is in effect through 2036, Clemson and Florida State’s media rights are attached to the conference itself.

Per ESPN, multiple athletic directors have said that this also could affect Notre Dame as a means to create additional games against top-tier teams within the conference.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) scores a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Imagesn Images

No. 5 Texas runs away from No. 12 Clemson, off to CFP quarterfinals

Jaydon Blue rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard score in the fourth quarter, as No. 5 seed Texas ran to a 38-24 win over 12th-seeded Clemson on Saturday afternoon in a College Football Playoff first-round game in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns (12-2) advance to the CFP quarterfinals, where they’ll square off against fourth-seeded Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, on Jan. 1 in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

Quinn Ewers passed for 202 yards and a score and Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards and two TDs 15 yards on 15 carries for Texas, which outgained Clemson 292-76 on the ground.

The Longhorns’ defense stopped Clemson on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 7:24 left. Texas then produced a final march that chewed up almost six minutes of the clock.

Cade Klubnik, who played his prep football in Austin, passed for 336 yards and three TDs to keep the Tigers in the game. Nine of Klubnik’s 26 completions on 43 throws went to T.J. Moore, who had 116 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

Everything went right for the Tigers on the game’s opening possession, on which they used 12 snaps and nearly seven minutes to drive 75 yards to a 22-yard TD pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams.

Texas responded with its own 75-yard, 12-play march that culminated in a 3-yard scoring run up the middle by Wisner with 2:04 to play in the first quarter.

The Longhorns got a 38-yard touchdown sprint by Blue with 12:49 to play in the second quarter and then a 16-yard TD run by Wisner 5 1/2 minutes later to push their lead to 21-7.

Clemson’s Nolan Hauser hit a 32-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the second quarter. Texas answered with a 19-yard TD pass from Ewers to Gunnar Helm that extended the Longhorns’ lead to 28-10 at the break.

Bert Auburn added a 22-yard field goal on the Longhorns’ opening drive of the third quarter.

Klubnik found Jarvis Green out of the backfield for a nifty 25-yard TD pass to pull the Tigers to within 31-17 with 3:29 to play in the third. He then connected with Moore on a 7-yard scoring pass on fourth down with 11:43 remaining to bring Clemson to within seven points.

On the second play of Texas’s ensuing drive, Blue broke free and streaked down the left sideline to lift the Longhorns back up by two scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Andre Turrentine (2) takes a peak into the backfield against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

College Football Playoff notebook: Tennessee’s Andre Turrentine returns to Ohio State

No. 9 seed Tennessee will make its first visit to No. 8 Ohio State on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), but Volunteers safety Andre Turrentine will be in a familiar setting at Ohio Stadium for the first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff.

He played in four games for the Buckeyes (10-2) as a freshman in 2021 before the Nashville native joined the Vols.

“I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and big for me personally,” said Turrentine, a redshirt junior.

He has 35 tackles and one interception in starting all 12 games for the Vols (10-2) this season.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles feels prepared for Tennessee’s fast-paced offense, which averages 74.6 plays per game to rank 11th nationally.

“Our defense is built for tempo,” he said.

–No. 7 Notre Dame (11-1) quarterback Riley Leonard loves the idea of playing for a national championship, but as he told Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports, the matchup with the No. 10 Hoosiers (11-1) on Friday in South Bend, Ind., (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN) is also about regional pride.

“It’s huge for the state of Indiana. We’ve been talking about it becoming a football state,” he said. “It’s notorious for basketball, for obvious reasons.”

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti on how the game will play out: “I think we’re plus-15 on turnover ratio, and they’re plus-16. So, ball security for us and them is going to be really important — winning the turnover battle.”

–Even though No. 6 Penn State (11-2) lost to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Nittany Lions were buoyed by running for 292 yards. Now, they host No. 11 SMU (11-2), which is ranked fourth nationally at 93.4 rushing yards allowed per game.

“Our expectation is that that’s what we’re supposed to do every single game,” Penn State center Nick Dawkins said. “I don’t think it matters the opponent that we played against.”

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee on the perceived advantage Penn State will have with a forecast high of 28 degrees: “They have to play in it just like we do and I don’t think they’ve played a game at home on Dec. 21, either. I don’t think the weather is a big deal.”

–No. 5 Texas coach Steve Sarkisian expects big things from quarterback Quinn Ewers when the Longhorns (11-2) host No. 12 Clemson on Saturday (4 p.m., TNT/MAX).

“We’ve all got to take our game to another level, and he’s no different, right?” Sarkisian said. “He’s got to do it.”

Actor Matthew McConaughey is a Longhorns super fan but that doesn’t mean much to defensive lineman T.J. Parker of Clemson (10-3).

“I don’t know who that is,” the sophomore said on Tuesday. “I may know his face, but not by name. I don’t know him.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates after winning the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Storylines galore when No. 5 Texas, No. 12 Clemson clash in playoffs

No. 5 seed Texas and No. 12 seed Clemson are set to clash in a captivating first-round matchup in the College Football Playoff on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

The winner will advance to the CFP quarterfinals, with fourth seed Arizona State awaiting in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 1. Texas opened as a 10 1/2-point favorite in the first-ever meeting between the storied programs, the largest favorite of any first-round game.

The Longhorns (11-2) look to rebound from a 22-19 overtime loss to then-No. 5 Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tigers (10-3) earned the final spot in the CFP with a last-second 34-31 win over then-No. 8 SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Texas battled to the end and beyond in the loss to Georgia, dominating the first half despite quarterback Quinn Ewers playing with a sprained right ankle and with left tackle Kelvin Banks (who won the Outland Trophy as college football’s best interior lineman) on the shelf, also with an ankle injury.

Both are expected to be healthy for Saturday’s game. Ewers was asked Monday about his health and his role as the focal point of the Longhorns’ offense.

“I feel good. It was good to get some time off,” Ewers explained. “I just try to get the ball to the playmakers and let them go to work at the end of the day. It sounds like a simple answer, but that’s how simple it is.”

Both of Texas’ losses this season have been to Georgia, and the two setbacks cost the Longhorns the chance to capture a SEC championship in their first year in the vaunted league.

“To come off two weeks after the SEC championship, this game is pretty exciting,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “One of the concerns always for us as coaches is that long layoff. How do you keep your team sharp and how do you keep them competitive, yet in the same token heal and get healthy?”

The Tigers used their considerable big-game experience, the arm and legs of quarterback Cade Klubnik and a 56-yard final-play field goal from freshman kicker Nolan Hauser to advance to the CFP.

Clemson battled through a campaign in which it was routed by Georgia in the season opener and lost at home to Louisville and South Carolina.

To advance, the Tigers will have to play their best in what’s sure to be an unfriendly venue.

“It’s hard when you have everything against you, but it’s fun too,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, a two-time national champion. “This is as good as it gets. Somebody asked me today, ‘What it’s going to be like?’ I said, ‘Well, it’s going to be like a normal road game, times a million.’”

Klubnik has completed 63.7 percent of his throws this season, racking up 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He’s added another 458 yards and seven TDs on the ground.

The Tigers’ junior signal-caller is from Austin and he was a prep star at Austin Westlake, the school that also produced quarterbacks Drew Brees and Nick Foles. Klubnik and Ewers went head-to-head in a high school state championship game, with Klubnik leading Westlake to the victory.

Ewers, who led Texas to the four-team CFP a year ago, threw for 2,665 yards and 25 TDs this season.

Swinney said Tuesday that Clemson running back Phil Mafah (1,106 rushing yards, eight rushing TDs in 2024) will play against the Longhorns despite a shoulder injury that will require surgery after the season.

“Mafah’s going to give us everything he’s got,” Swinney said. “He’s a guy we have to have play well for sure.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; DUPLICATE***Clemson Tigers cornerback Shelton Lewis (2)***Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates after winning the 2024 ACC Championship game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 12 Clemson

12. Clemson Tigers
10-3 (7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season)

What’s next: First-round at No. 5 seed Texas, Dec. 21

Head coach: Dabo Swinney (17th season, 180-46 overall)

About Swinney: The 55-year-old, who is 6-4 in the CFP, took over during the 2008 season and has won two national titles (2016, 2018). He will take the Tigers to the CFP the first time since the 2020 season and the seventh time overall.

Resume
The Tigers, the only three-loss team in the 12-team field, were in a must-win situation in the ACC championship game, prevailing on a last-second, 56-yard field goal to defeat SMU 34-31. Clemson lost two games to SEC opponents (Georgia and South Carolina) this season. The Tigers’ other defeat came at home to Louisville. The matchup with Texas will be Clemson’s first true road game against the SEC this season.

Postseason history
A nine-time winner of the ACC Championship Game, the Tigers notched a double-figure win total for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons. Along with its two national titles, Clemson reached the title game two other times (2019 and 2015). This will be the first Clemson-Texas matchup.

The road to Atlanta
It will be a tricky road for the Tigers to reach the CFP title game in Atlanta at a venue familiar to Clemson fans. The Tigers will take at least two and maybe three trips outside of their own time zone to qualify for the final.

Names to know
QB Cade Klubnik

Klubnik, a Texas native, has been taking snaps in crucial situations since a limited role as a freshman in 2022, when he rescued the Tigers in an ACC Championship victory vs. North Carolina.

Sporting a 19-8 career record as a starter, Klubnik has thrown for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns along with five interceptions this season. He tossed four TDs in the ACC title game Dec. 7 against SMU after receiving All-ACC honorable mention following the regular season.

“He’s battle-tested,” Swinney said. “He has got a lot of experience under his belt. He has had some failure, which has made him better.”

RB Phil Mafah

The senior has racked up 1,106 rushing yards with eight touchdowns this season and has 28 career scores. Mafah has averaged fewer than 17 carries per game, so he makes the most of his opportunities, and at 230 pounds he can be a load to bring down.

DE T.J. Parker
He’s been disruptive on a regular basis, racking up 19 tackles for loss (11 sacks) this season. The 265-pound sophomore helped set the tone in the ACC title game when the Tigers feasted on early SMU mistakes. Parker is tied for the Division I lead with six forced fumbles this season.

K Nolan Hauser

The freshman joined the Tigers this season with great acclaim and produced a career highlight with a 56-yard game-winning field goal — the longest in ACC title game history — to beat SMU at the buzzer.

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs during the second quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Nolan Hauser’s FG sends No. 17 Clemson past No. 8 SMU as time expires

CHARLOTTE — Nolan Hauser kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired, Cade Klubnik threw four touchdown passes and No. 17 Clemson pulled out a 34-31 victory against No. 8 SMU on Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

The game appeared destined for overtime after Kevin Jennings capped a 16-play, 79-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels Jr. with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter to pull the Mustangs (11-2) even at 31.

However, Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards before Klubnik completed a pass for a gain of 17. Hauser then came out and booted the longest field goal in ACC title game history.

Hauser’s kick spoiled a wild comeback by SMU, which trailed 31-14 with 23 seconds to go in the third quarter following a 5-yard scoring connection between Klubnik and Jake Briningstool.

Before tying the game at 31-all, the Mustangs saw their deficit shrink thanks to Jennings’ 20-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner and a 46-yard field goal from Collin Rogers.

Briningstool and Bryant Wesco Jr. each hauled in two touchdowns for Clemson (10-3). Wesco went off for eight receptions for 143 yards. Klubnik finished 24-for-41 passing for 262 yards.

Jennings threw for three touchdowns, an interception and 304 yards on 31-for-50 passing. Brashard Smith rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries, and Daniels finished with eight catches for 97 yards and the score.

SMU pulled within 24-14 with 11:04 left in the third quarter on a 10-yard TD pass from Jennings to Smith before the Tigers built their 31-14 lead.

It was all Clemson in the first half, as the Tigers took a 24-7 cushion into the break.

After Jennings lost a fumble on the game’s first drive, Klubnik opened the scoring with a 35-yard scoring strike to Wesco.

Briningstool made it 14-0 with 10:47 to play in the first quarter, grabbing a 5-yard TD.

SMU countered with a 75-yard drive, which ended when Jennings ran into the end zone from 24 yards out. But Clemson went the same distance on its ensuing possession, with Wesco scoring on a 43-yard reception.

The Tigers’ lead grew to 24-7 by halftime on Hauser’s 44-yard field goal with 5:22 left in the second quarter.

–Bob Sutton, Field Level Media

Clemson football Coach Dabo Swinney talks about the early period National Signing Day players coming to Clemson, at the Smart Family Media Center Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina.

Dabo Swinney: Clemson grew facing SEC competition instead of ‘XYZ University’

Top nonconference opponents are a thing of the past for Clemson if the College Football Playoff committee puts no weight on strength of schedule.

Opening the season as the Tigers did against then-No. 1 Georgia in September, for example, might not be as high on Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s list of priorities if there is no reward in the committee’s evaluation process for teams that take the risk to play other heavyweights.

But Swinney recognizes his team is far more battle-tested because it took on the Southeastern Conference power.

“We could have scheduled XYZ University and everybody would be real happy on the bus ride back. But I think they had good perspective after that game,” Swinney said Friday on the eve of playing No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, N.C. “They kept going and have earned the right to be here.”

Swinney said he views SMU as the best in the 17-team conference and would anticipate the Mustangs have the standing resume to earn a spot in the playoff even if they lose to the Tigers on Saturday. No. 18 Clemson, already with three losses, won’t have the same luxury in Swinney’s estimation.

“We have to win the game, for sure, to have an opportunity,” he said. “I think SMU should be in for sure. We’re looking at this game like the first round of the playoffs. That’s how we have to look at it. The season is over. … It’s all about this opportunity. This is what they’ve worked for since January.”

A reflective Swinney said he was encouraged how Clemson matched up physically with Georgia in the 34-3 season-opening loss but lamented penalties that erased big plays. He felt the Tigers were just one play short in a 17-14 loss to South Carolina last week, but also believes the timing was perfect for a reminder.

“We’ve grown. They understand that games like that can be (decided) by two or three plays,” Swinney said. “Hopefully they’ll take that into this game and play their best football in the postseason.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

No. 8 SMU seeks first ACC title against mainstay No. 17 Clemson

By the time kickoff arrives for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night at Charlotte, N.C., much of the potential shifting among the top of the projected College Football Playoff rankings will have taken place.

But there will be a huge matter still to settle: No. 8 SMU meets No. 17 Clemson for the ACC title and an automatic bid in the 12-team playoff field.

There has been plenty of grumbling about the ACC’s plight, particularly if SMU loses and leaves its fate to be determined by the selection committee.

“I think SMU should be in no matter what,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “They have a great team and they’ve had a heck of a year.”

Clemson (9-3) has its own situation to consider, though the Tigers must win Saturday to be in the playoff mix.

“We didn’t accomplish all of our goals during the regular season, but we’ve got two goals left: Win the conference and win the closer,” Swinney said. “If we do that, we’ll be national champions.”

With that, Swinney’s optimism could overshadow any pessimism connected to the ACC showdown.

“We were the first 15-0 national championship team,” Swinney said of the 2018 season. “Maybe we can be the first three-loss national championship team. Boy, that would upset some people.”

SMU (11-1) already has cultivated a special season as a newcomer in the ACC.

“Pretty cool for our first year in the league,” Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee said. “To go 8-0 in any conference is tough.”

SMU is on a nine-game winning streak, joining Oregon as the only FBS teams in the country to go undefeated in conference play. The Mustangs were 8-0 in the ACC; the Ducks were 9-0 in the Big Ten.

Clemson had its chances for an at-large bid into the CFP dashed with Saturday’s 17-14 home loss to rival South Carolina, but the Tigers can claim the ACC’s automatic spot by winning the title game.

“We would’ve been happy playing anybody, but I think what Coach Swinney and Clemson have done, that’s what we want to build our program to be,” Lashlee said. “If you want to win the (ACC) championship, you’re probably going to have to go through them.”

Clemson landed a spot in the ACC championship because Syracuse knocked off Miami last weekend.

“We have another opportunity,” Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz said. “Sitting around dwelling on the South Carolina loss isn’t going to help.”

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has thrown for 19 touchdowns and is the team’s second-leading rusher. Clemson has had challenges dealing with running quarterbacks. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers rushed for 166 yards with two touchdowns against the Tigers.

“Certainly, things you try to do but sometimes their guy just wins a matchup,” Swinney said. “There’s always things you try to do, but No. 1 we’ve just got to tackle.”

SMU has a diverse attack, with Brashard Smith an All-ACC first team selection at running back. He ran for 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season.

While Clemson is almost a regular participant in the title game for the past dozen years, SMU will try to add to its first-season accomplishments while playing in basically the Tigers’ backyard.

“Obviously, Clemson has got a great fan base. They travel well,” Lashlee said. “We’re used to it.”

SMU should mostly be at full strength. It’s even possible that receiver Romello Brinson, who has been out for weeks, could be available.

Clemson’s injury list for this weekend could include safety R.J. Mickens, but Swinney said he’s hopeful that defensive back Shelton Lewis is back.

–Field Level Media

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball during warm ups as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

CFP rankings: Alabama in position for final playoff bid

The picture is getting a little clearer for the first edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Tuesday’s rankings reveal placed Alabama (9-3) at No. 11, ahead of No. 12 Miami (10-2) and No. 13 Ole Miss (9-3), and the Crimson Tide are in position to receive the final spot in the playoff field if conference championship weekend doesn’t provide any surprises.

“What it really came down to is Alabama is 3-1 against current Top 25 teams and Miami is 0-1,” selection committee chair Warde Manuel said on ESPN’s ranking reveal show. “Alabama is 6-1 against teams above .500 and Miami’s 4-2. Both have had some losses that weren’t what they wanted out of those games, but in the last three games Miami has lost twice. So for us, in evaluating their body of work, we felt that Alabama got the edge over Miami.”

Manuel said there won’t be any changes between Tuesday and Sunday for teams not playing in their conference championship games, all but confirming that Miami and Ole Miss are out of the running.

“Yes, so those who are not playing, we will not adjust those teams because they don’t have another data point obviously,” Manuel said.

He added that a team that loses its conference championship game may not take a hit at all, citing two years ago when TCU fell to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game but did not drop in the rankings.

Unbeaten Oregon remained No. 1 in the rankings, and Texas, Penn State and Notre Dame moved up to Nos. 2-4 following Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and subsequent tumble. Georgia rose two spots to No. 5, and the Buckeyes settled at No. 6.

Tennessee, SMU, Indiana and Boise State rounded out the top 10 in front of Alabama. SMU and Boise State join Oregon and Texas as the projected top-four conference champions who will receive first-round byes in the tournament.

The fifth-highest ranked conference champ is still projected to be the winner of the Big 12 title game between No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State.

There’s a clear scenario where a “bid thief” takes Alabama out of the running for an at-large. Clemson dropped five places to No. 17 when it lost to South Carolina last Saturday, but thanks to Miami’s come-from-ahead loss to Syracuse, Clemson qualified for the ACC championship game against SMU.

Should Clemson beat ACC newcomer SMU on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C., the Tigers would vault not only into the playoff field with an auto bid, but potentially all the way into the top four seeds if they’re ranked highly enough.

CFP projected first-round byes: No. 1 seed Oregon, No. 2 seed Texas, No. 3 seed SMU, No. 4 seed Boise State

CFP projected quarterfinal games (campus sites):
No. 9 seed Tennessee at No. 8 seed Ohio State
No. 10 seed Indiana at No. 7 seed Georgia
No. 11 seed Alabama at No. 6 seed Notre Dame
No. 12 seed Arizona State at No. 5 seed Penn State

CFP rankings (different from seeds):
1. Oregon (12-0)
2. Texas (11-1)
3. Penn State (11-1)
4. Notre Dame (11-1)
5. Georgia (10-2)
6. Ohio State (10-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. SMU (11-1)
9. Indiana (11-1)
10. Boise State (11-1)
11. Alabama (9-3)
12. Miami (10-2)
13. Ole Miss (9-3)
14. South Carolina (9-3)
15. Arizona State (10-2)
16. Iowa State (10-2)
17. Clemson (9-3)
18. BYU (10-2)
19. Missouri (9-3)
20. UNLV (10-2)
21. Illinois (9-3)
22. Syracuse (9-3)
23. Colorado (9-3)
24. Army (10-1)
25. Memphis (10-2)

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Wofford Terriers in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

QB LaNorris Sellers runs No. 15 South Carolina past No. 12 Clemson

LaNorris Sellers ran for two touchdowns and amassed a combined 330 yards rushing and passing to lead South Carolina to a 17-14 comeback victory over Clemson on Saturday afternoon in Clemson, S.C.

Sellers led the 15th-ranked Gamecocks (9-3) on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that he capped with a 20-yard touchdown run to put them ahead by the eventual winning margin with 1:08 left in the fourth quarter.

No. 12 Clemson (9-3) had one last chance and drove toward the red zone. But Demetrius Knight Jr. made a diving interception with 12 seconds remaining to seal the Gamecocks’ second win in three seasons in the Palmetto Bowl series and second in a row at Clemson.

Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns. On the interception, he threw the ball a bit behind intended receiver Phil Mafah. The ball bounced off Mafah’s outstretched hand and Knight took advantage.

It was the fifth combined turnover of the game and the second for Clemson.

South Carolina bolstered its case to make the College Football Playoff as a potential at-large selection in capturing its sixth consecutive victory. It’s the Gamecocks’ longest winning streak since 2013.

South Carolina had chances to tie the game earlier, but three turnovers continued to impede its progress.

One that could have proven costly came with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter after Sellers drove the Gamecocks from their 14 to the Clemson 14. But after a personal foul on South Carolina’s Torricelli Simpkins moved the ball back to the 26, Sellers was picked off inside the 10-yard line by Khalil Barnes, preserving a 14-7 Clemson lead at the time.

The Gamecocks cut their deficit to 14-10 with 6:48 to go on Alex Herrera’s 42-yard field goal. South Carolina attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the Tigers recovered. The Gamecocks forced a punt on the ensuing drive, leading to Sellers’ dramatic score for the victory.

Sellers completed 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards and one interception, and rushed 16 times for 166 yards and two TDs, including a 25-yard run in the second quarter.

Klubnik accounted for both Clemson touchdowns, first on a quarterback keeper from 13 yards to open the scoring with 12:07 left in the second quarter after an early scoreless stalemate.

Klubnik then put the Tigers ahead with a run-pass-option keeper from 18 yards out with 9:57 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media