For the first time in six years, Clemson finds itself outside the College Football Playoff race after a stunning 27-21 double-overtime loss at NC State on Saturday afternoon.
The offensive struggles that plagued the Tigers in their first three games continued once again, as they failed to gain any rhythm or consistency on offense. Now, they no longer control the Atlantic Division in the race for a seventh straight ACC title, and at 2-2 have almost certainly been eliminated from playoff contention. No two-loss team has ever made the playoff.
THE TD THAT GAVE NC STATE THE WIN OVER NO. 9 CLEMSON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7kiAfcXicQ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 25, 2021
“We’ve got to own it,” coach Dabo Swinney said afterward. “It’s where we are right now. We need to get back to work on Monday, continue to learn, continue to grow, continue to fight, and continue to stay together. Let’s just find a way to win a game, find a way to get on track and see if we can build some momentum in our season.