Clemson wins ESPN's hypothetical 64-team CFB bracket

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Tue Mar 13 10:28:14 GMT-04:00 2018

'The fun is in the winning' is a favorite saying by Dabo Swinney. Does that count with imaginary tournaments?

ESPN.com released their hypothetical 64-team college football tournament bracket and had Clemson winning the entire 2018 tournament with wins over South Florida, TCU, Miami, Michigan State, Stanford, and Georgia.

Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State were No. 1 overall seeds as the rankings were based on ESPN's 2018 preseason FPI.

Remember the following projections is for entertainment and not something that should inspire you to run out and bet all your money in Vegas on the Tigers.

In the regional semifinals, Clemson defeats No. 4 seed Miami 45-20.

"The Canes will be just a bit motivated after dropping their past two games to Clemson by a combined score of 96-3," ESPN.com said. "Mark Richt's team competes well and takes a halftime lead before Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and the Clemson defensive line slam the door. Kelly Bryant throws two second-half touchdowns, and the Tigers move on."

During the regional finals, Clemson wins a close contest 35-27 against No. 3 seed Michigan State.

"Two of the more complete teams in the tournament put on an entertaining show, as Lewerke boosts the Spartans early before Clemson's superior line play takes over," ESPN.com said. "Hunter Renfrow hauls in the go-ahead touchdown, and then the Tigers stop a Michigan State drive in the red zone. Clemson returns to the College Football Playoff for the fourth straight year."

Clemson wins 31-20 over No. 4 seed Stanford in the National Semifinals.

"Line play jumps out in this one, as Stanford's offensive line and Clemson's defensive line clash," ESPN.com said. "The Cardinal start slowly only to rally back behind Love. But Clemson holds on behind Kelly Bryant, who evades Stanford defenders to pick up first downs and bleed the clock down the stretch."

Clemson wins another National Championship after winning a 28-27 nailbiter against rival Georgia.

"It's more heartbreak for Georgia in familiar fashion," ESPN.com said. "The Bulldogs jump ahead by ten before Clemson's defensive line tightens up to shut down Swift, White, and the run game. After an ineffective first half, Dabo Swinney benches Bryant in favor of true freshman Trevor Lawrence, a native of Cartersville, Georgia, who leads Clemson on the decisive touchdown drive."