Clemson football at 4-3: ESPN, NCAA stat rankings for the Tigers |
After a 28-20 double OT loss at Miami Saturday, Clemson (4-3) still holds strong as the second-highest-rated team with three losses
in ESPN’s Football Power Index, at No. 18.
The FPI favors Clemson in four of its final five games, with a 70.1% or better projection in three of those games, including next weekend at NC State (75.7%). Notre Dame is the lone narrowly projected defeat (55% to the Fighting Irish). Clemson had just a 52.5% win projection at Miami. Clemson fell from 13th to 19th (14.9) in the ESPN-based SP+ rankings of college football, trailing only FSU in the ACC (11th; 18.5 rating). Miami actually dropped seven spots to No. 23 (13.4). According to the SP+, Clemson has the No. 32 offense, No. 9 defense and No. 74 special teams group. In NCAA stats, Clemson slipped to 44th in offensive yards (424.1) and 49th in scoring per game (30.4). Turnovers and red zone woes work hand-in-hand there, with triple-digit rankings now in red zone TD percentage (102nd; 52.6), red zone offense (126th; .684) and fumbles lost (130th - dead-last among NCAA-eligible teams in stats; 10). The top stats are on defense with yards allowed (7th; 276.1), passing efficiency defense (9th; 105.8) and passing yards allowed (10th; 172), while rushing defense is also Top 20 (19th; 104) despite late-game issues in Miami. A look at the highlights and lowlights through seven games: Top 10 ranks Defensive TDs 7 (2), total defense 7 (276.1 YPG), passes had intercepted 8 (3), passing efficiency defense 9 (105.83 rating), passing defense 10 (172 YPG). Top 35 ranks Tackles for loss 11 (7.6 PG), fumbles recovered 18 (6), rushing defense 19 (104.1 YPG), fewest penalties per game 29 (5), red zone TD percentage allowed 29 (50), fewest penalty yards per game 32 (43.7), fourth-down defense 32 (.400), turnovers gained 33 (12), completion percentage 33 (.647). 80th or worse Kickoff returns 80 (19.3), tackles for loss allowed 84 (6.14 PG), turnovers lost 98 (13), red zone TD percentage 102 (52.6), blocked kicks allowed 104 (2), passing yards per completion 107 (10.8), kickoff return defense 124 (25.3 per), red zone offense 126 (.684), fumbles lost 130 (10). Top Clemson players in national ranks Top 10: N/A Top 35: Aidan Swanson - punting 20 (44.8 YPA); Cade Klubnik - Completions per game 22 (22.1). (Stat rankings per the NCAA of all eligible teams and CFBStats.com) Clemson
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
