Clemson will miss College Football Playoff, more overreactions vs Louisville
CLEMSON — Louisville upset No. 8 Clemson football on Saturday, winning 33-21 at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) struggled at all three levels coming off of their open date. Their offense lacked explosiveness and down-the-field throws. Defensively, the Cardinals (6-3, 4-2) gashed them on the ground for 210 yards and crossed midfield with ease multiple times. The Tigers also had two field goals blocked.
This shocking loss will have consequences for Clemson's chances to make the expanded College Football Playoff. Here are three overreactions from the Tigers' first conference loss of the season:
Clemson's College Football Playoff chances are on life support
Entering Saturday, Clemson sat atop the ACC with a clear road to make the College Football Playoff. Now, its route appears blocked after losing to an unranked team at home.
The Tigers had won 22 consecutive night games at Memorial Stadium. They will need help for a chance to make the conference championship, needing Miami or SMU to lose for the outcome to go tiebreakers.
As far as an at-large bid, this type of loss will be critiqued by the CFP committee. The first rankings come out Tuesday, and there's a chance Clemson isn't ranked in the top 20.
It looks Saturday like the Tigers won't make the CFP.
Clemson football's offense after open date resembles Georgia game
Clemson entered Saturday averaging 42 points, the fourth most in FBS. It was humming during its six-game win streak, averaging 48.5 points.
Yet the Tigers' offense was lifeless coming off of its open date. Their first two drives ended in three-and-outs. They rebounded with a 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but could not generate points in five of their following six drives (excluding the possession before halftime).
Klubnik threw for only 97 yards in the first half and finished with 228 on 56 passes. Clemson's offense resembled its play against Georgia. Its offense was its strength this season, but it reverted back to a explosive-less offense.
HOW THE GAME WENT: Clemson football vs Louisville score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 10 game
Clemson football's field-goal protection is among top problems
Tigers kicker Nolan Hauser had two field-goal attempts blockedy, one from 49 yards and one from 24. Clemson faced similar kicking protection issues when it faced Florida State last month.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was critical of his team's protection against FSU, but the issue rose again Saturday. It experienced many problems vs. Louisville, but the blocked kicks were the cherries on top.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Tigers' all-around poor showing crushes CFP hopes
