Despite head-to-head result, is Louisville better than Clemson?

Shortly after Louisville's James Quick was ushered out of bounds three yards short of a comeback victory at Clemson last month, the chatter began. Not everyone was convinced Clemson was better than Louisville.

By virtue of that head-to-head result, No. 2 Clemson would play in the ACC championship and make it back to the playoff if it finishes undefeated. No. 7 Louisville needs help.

"Player for player, they're close talent-wise," an ACC defensive assistant told ESPN. "There is not much separation."

It's so close that it isn't that wild to entertain the notion 7-1 Louisville might be better than 8-0 Clemson. ESPN's FPI would favor Louisville on a neutral field by a point (technically 0.7). Ed…