The bowl picture is starting to shape up for Clemson. If it was 2014, the Tigers would be right in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. With the ACC Championship pretty much an unlikely scenario, the Tigers are still poised to make it to a BCS Bowl. Right now, they are in perfect position to make the BCS but they need to win out to ensure that will happen.
The Orange Bowl normally is reserved for the ACC Champion but if Florida State wins out they have a very good chance of being in the BCS National Championship Game. Clemson will have an opportunity to put to rest the memories of allowing 70 points to West Virginia just a few years ago.
Who would they face in the Orange Bowl?
Oregon: After their loss to Stanford, they have little chance of winning the PAC 12 leaving them as an at large bid. Offense versus offense in this matchp.
Auburn: Auburn could finish the year with only 2 losses. This would be the 4th time in 4 years that Clemson would play the other Tigers.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin has a favorable schedule to finish the season. Right now the Badgers are outsde the top 20 in the BCS Standings but if they win out they will shoot up the rankings.
Sugar Bowl
Clemson last played in the Sugar Bowl on January 9, 1959. Tiger fans would love to make the trip to New Orleans. It could be a once in a lifetime bowl trip. This would likely give Clemson another opportunity to play a SEC opponent as the Sugar Bowl likes to have an SEC team represented in their bowl.
Who would they face in the Sugar Bowl?
Missouri: Mizzou has been sort of a surprise in the SEC East. If they go to the SEC Championship game with one loss they could be a near lock to play in the Sugar Bowl. This would be a offensive shootout.
Texas A&M: A&M still has tough games left against LSU and Missouri. If they can escape with wins in those 2 games the Aggies and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manzell will be hard for the Sugar Bowl Selection Committee to pass up.
Alabama: Yes, Alabama is a possibility. This year there are more teams that have the opportunity to go undefeated in years past. Bama still has to play #9 Auburn and the winner of the SEC East just in order to be undefeated. That will be a tough task.
UCF/Louisville: The winner of the American Athletic Conference could go to the Sugar Bowl if a non-AQ conference team is able to make the BCS. Right now both Fresno State and Northern Illinois are in position to do so. UCF and Louisville would be a challenge for any team, especially Louisville. The Cardinals have the likely #1 overall draft pick, Teddy Bridgewater, and proved they can hang with the big boys when they beat Florida last year in the Sugar Bowl.
Non BCS Possibilities:
Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Clemson could be sent to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl for the 2nd year in a row if it loses to South Carolina in the season finally. It would be disappointing for the Tigers but they will still go to a good bowl and have a chance against a reputable opponent. If Clemson misses the BCS, they could get pushed down the line if the Chick-Fil-A Bowl wants Georgia or South Carolina to prevent rematches from the regular season.
Who would they face in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl?
Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss, or Auburn.
Russell Athletic Bowl
No doubt that a bid to the Russell Athletic Bowl would be a big disappointment. If the Tigers lose to the Gamecocks to end the season, it could push them down the ladder of the ACC bowl lineup. Having already played two SEC teams that could go to Atlanta for the Chic-Fil-Bowl wouldn't help; not to mention the fact they played in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl last year, so they may want to have a different team come in.
Who would they face in the Russell Athletic Bowl?
UCF, Louisville, or Houston
Back to the Clemson Tigers Newsfeed