Clemson has seven games left to improve its season, but ESPN’s latest projections suggest the Tigers could be headed for a modest finish.
Following an open week, Clemson sits at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. ESPN’s Football Power Index projects a 7-5 regular-season record, placing the Tigers No. 45 nationally with a 6.8 rating.
The remaining schedule offers opportunities to build momentum. None of Clemson’s upcoming opponents appears in the updated Coaches Poll, although that has not translated into favorable projections across the board.
Clemson’s strongest chances come at home against Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech. The Tigers have a 99% win probability against the Buccaneers in Saturday’s noon matchup on ACC Network and a 73.4% chance against the Yellow
Jackets on Nov. 14.
Two other games lean Clemson’s way, though with smaller margins. FPI gives the Tigers a 56.6% chance against Virginia Tech in their Oct. 24 Homecoming game and a 59.6% probability of winning at Syracuse.
The model favors Clemson’s opponents in three remaining matchups. Florida State has a 64.7% chance of beating the Tigers in Tallahassee on Halloween, while Duke holds a 60.1% advantage for the Nov. 20 ACC finale.
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South Carolina, ranked No. 28 in FPI, has a 60.5% chance of winning the regular-season finale at Clemson.
ESPN’s SP+ ratings offer an even less favorable assessment of the Tigers, placing them No. 61 overall. The offense ranks No. 97, well behind a defense rated No. 30 and a special teams unit ranked No. 14.
With the toughest opponents behind it, Clemson’s ability to improve offensively could determine how much it exceeds those expectations.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Where Clemson football lands in ESPN’s FPI after having Week 6 off
