Bowl projections: Clemson barely hanging on to College Football Playoff spot

Just like Clemson barely hung on to beat North Carolina State, the Tigers are barely holding on to their College Football Playoff position in the latest USA TODAY Sports bowl projections.

Clemson has the week off after its scare to prepare for Florida State, the biggest regular season game left on its schedule. A defeat of the Seminoles would open up a clear road to the ACC title game. A loss, however, gives an opportunity for other contenders - possibly an unbeaten Baylor or a longer shot of a one-loss Big Ten team - to make an argument.

That's a debate for another time. Right now, Clemson needs to keep winning to make other arguments moot.

Reminder: Notre Dame is part of the ACC bowl pool. Some conferences may not fulfill their bowl allotment. Asterisks denote a replacement pick.