Clemson’s CFP hopes crash as Tigers fall to South Carolina

Clemson had its nation-leading 40-game dwelling profitable streak snapped on Saturday, shedding to rival South Carolina 31-30 in a mistake-filled efficiency that successfully eliminates the Tigers from Faculty Soccer Playoff competition for a second straight season.

The house profitable streak was an ACC file, and the longest since Nebraska received 47 in a row from 1991-1997. Equally as gorgeous is the best way Clemson blew a 23-14 halftime lead.

In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, Clemson had been 60-0 at dwelling underneath Dabo Swinney when main by 9 or extra factors at halftime.

South Carolina, in the meantime, has crushed back-to-back ranked opponents — defeating Tennessee final week and now Clemson — its first win within the rivalry recreation since 2013.

The No. 8 Tigers went into the sport with an out of doors probability at making the playoff, however the reality is, this crew hardly appeared like a playoff contender all season lengthy. As soon as once more, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei struggled, going 8-of-29 for 99 yards with one landing and one interception as South Carolina harassed him all recreation lengthy. The one factor Clemson had going for it on offense was operating again Will Shipley, who ran for 132 yards and a rating.

However with the sport on the road late, South Carolina managed to pin Clemson deep a number of occasions and Uiagalelei did not get a lot occurring offense.

Clemson had yet another probability to get the ball again late, however Antonio Williams fumbled a punt with 2:05 left. South Carolina recovered and held on for the win. Clemson managed 86 whole yards within the second half.

The Tigers had three turnovers in all and allowed South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler to make a number of huge performs within the passing recreation all through. Rattler threw for 360 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

In contrast to different video games this season when Uiagalelei struggled, Swinney elected to stay with him and didn’t flip to backup Cade Klubnik.

Swinney should now discover a option to get his crew centered on what’s forward: The ACC Championship recreation towards North Carolina on Saturday. That is the primary time since 2012 that each groups enter the championship recreation off a loss, taking some luster off this matchup.

Clemson didn’t win the ACC final 12 months, so the Tigers can have a possibility to win a title. Although he has defended Uiagalelei at each time, there might be respectable questions he should reply about his quarterback state of affairs transferring ahead.