Greg McElroy Predicts College Football Week 14 Upset That Can Completely Shake Up Playoff Picture

“We have a chance to play our way into the playoff, and South Carolina does, too. This is high stakes,” head coach Dabo Swinney has made it clear. The Clemson Tigers are still not confirmed candidates for college football playoffs but they still have a chance to play the championship game if they win this week. Week 13 was a reality check for the entire world of college football. The Tigers are one of the top three ACC teams, but is it going to be that easy?

Experts and analysts are on duty making their predictions. Greg McElroy, football commentator and former quarterback, joined them. On November 27, he did the preview of the upcoming week 14 for ESPN and highlighted that Dabo could find his team in a difficult spot if their defense struggles. “Clemson’s defense has not been very good this year against the run.” Well, he made a point. Although the Tigers defeated Citadel last week 52-14, their defense was not at their best. They allowed 288 rushing yards, which is their highest this season. And it is very disappointing because 196 of those yards came in the first half. They failed to stop the run, as McElroy pointed out. Citadel averaged 6.5 yards per carry.

McElroy further emphasized their weakness and discussed their game against Pittsburgh, which is considered one of the ugliest games of college football by most of the experts. “One of the big problems for Clemson is they just don’t have the depth that they once had when they take their starters out and put in their backups. There’s a pretty considerable dropoff, for instance; if you watch their game against Pittsburgh when TJ Parker wasn’t on the field, Pittsburgh actually had a chance to block the defensive run but when he was out there, there was no shot whatsoever.”

He further hinted that if Dabo gets back Capehart, they still have some scope to fight. “ Hopefully Clemson can get DeMonte Capehart back this week because that would help a lot but man, the run defense, they better be at their best against a very physical and imposing offensive line and rushing attack for South Carolina. I’m taking South Carolina. I don’t think Clemson’s seen anything like they’re going to see on Saturday from this defensive front, especially with the concerns on the offensive line. I don’t think it’s a very good matchup for the Clemson Tigers.”

Talking about South Carolina, they have rushed for more than 100 yards in their last four games. Their mobile quarterback, LaNooris Sellers, is known for his speed and has had double-digit rushing attempts so far this season. The Tigers are standing at No. 12 in the college football rankings, while South Carolina is at No. 15, but if the Tigers lose, South Carolina will take their spot. That would help them secure a spot in the playoffs. Now, that is a do-or-die situation for Dabo and his team. Let’s see what the head coach thinks about the rivalry.

Dabo Swinney’s honest take on rivalry pressure

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are all set to enter the rivalry week. So far, Dabo has guided the Tigers in the right direction. Will he continue to do that? Memoria Stadium is going to witness history and a lot of emotions this weekend; only a victory can save the Tigers. Now, Swinney wants to see his team rise.

On3 reported his statement before the big game, “Listen, this is what we signed up for. It’s normal for me. This is — I’ve been doing this a long time. I know what that feels like—to win and lose. My 21st Clemson-South Carolina game. I know what it feels like. I love it. I love being in the fight. I love it. I love the fact that y’all are going to write horrible things about us on Sunday if we stink this up. That’s okay. It comes with it. That’s what we signed up for.”

He added, “I love the fact that we might not even play well, but if we find a way to win, we’re going to be great. It just comes with it. That’s what you sign up for. It’s a rivalry game. I have a lot of respect for how hard all these kids work and how hard all these coaches work. People lose jobs because of games like that. It’s just the way it is. But I love that.” He ended with, “I’ve always said, ‘Don’t ever let the pressure of the moment be greater than the pleasure of the moment.”

The Tigers have seen two losses during the season, and they cannot afford the next. We are sure the CFB is going to have a thrilling weekend. Will the Tigers and South Carolina prove they are the best rivals?

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