Updated Clemson bowl projections after the Tigers' strong finish

Clemson finished on a 5-game winning streak.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sun Nov 28 15:20:23 GMT-04:00 2021

Those hoping for a change in pace for a non-conference opponent might be a little disappointed by the 2021 Clemson bowl season.

The latest from both ESPN ($) and 247Sports call for another meeting with Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 31 (11 a.m./ESPN). The Tigers (9-3) and Aggies (8-4) met as recently as a home-and-home series in 2018-19 that Clemson swept.

Longtime ACC writer Joe Giglio laid out the conference bowl scenarios going into the weekend, which would send the Tigers to the Gator Bowl:

"Just like the previous process, the 'one-win' rule will be in effect. So an 8-4 team can’t be jumped by a 6-6 team. (A 9-win team can’t be jumped by a 7-win team, etc.)

"Pittsburgh (9-2 [now 10-2]), Wake Forest (9-2 [now 10-2]), Clemson (8-3 [now 9-3]) and NC State (8-3 [now 9-3]) can’t fall out of a top tier for a 6-win team (but an 8-win team can be jumped by a 7-win team).

"The three games will work together with the conference (with some input from the schools) to avoid repeat trips and regular-season rematches.

"NC State went to the Gator Bowl in 2019 and last year, so I think it’s safe to say the Wolfpack will not be in Jacksonville. Clemson hasn’t been to the Gator Bowl since the 2008 season and likely would be ticketed there to face an SEC team.

"With a win over North Carolina (and with Wake Forest winning the division), NC State’s likely bowl landing spot would be Orlando, where the Wolfpack hasn’t been since Russell Wilson led them to a win over West Virginia in 2010. The Big 12 is the opponent...

"The loser of the...Wake Forest-Pittsburgh ACC title game matchup would likely end up in San Diego for the Holiday bowl since that game isn’t dependent on ticket sales. The Pac-12 is the opponent."

Since 2012, Clemson has played 13 postseason games (excluding ACC Championship matchups) but just five different opponents in those matchups. Texas A&M would be a second recent (last decade) non-conference opponent that the Tigers have also played in a postseason game (joining Notre Dame).

ESPN also has a Clemson projection to the Cheez-It Bowl against Iowa State, which is also picked by CBS Sports. The Athletic joins those two in a Clemson-to-Orlando trip (Dec. 29/5:45 p.m. on ESPN) against Kansas State ($).