It seems like everyone believes Clemson will be one of the top four teams when the College Football Playoff committee releases its poll on Tuesday night. Some even think the Tigers could be No. 1.

Though he and his team appreciate the kind words, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney understands it means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“Our next goal is not to be in the poll or whatever on November 3,” Swinney said. “We want to be in that poll on December 6. That’s when we want to be there. They are not going to give any mid-season trophies on Nov. 3.”

The Tigers’ (8-0, 5-0 ACC) next goal is to win the ACC Atlantic Division, which they can clinch with a victory over No. 17 Florida State this Saturday in Death Valley.

“We are 8-0 and really that is all that matters for us is that we have a chance to clinch our division next week with a win over the team that has been the best team in this conference the last few years … Florida State.  That’s all our focus is. We are just trying to win the division. That’s our next goal,” Swinney said.

Clemson got itself in this position thanks to Saturday’s 56-41 victory over NC State. It was the second straight game in which the Tigers scored at least 56 points in a game. Their ability to score fast and get out to large leads has allowed them to beat their opponents by an average of 24 points per game.

Owning a win over No. 9 Notre Dame and beating Miami 58-0 on the road also helps the résumé.

“I think we are a team that is obviously in the hunt,” Swinney said. “We have earned that. It’s fun in November to be going into the championship run, to be in the conversation, that’s a blessing. That’s where we want to be. We embrace that, but we want to be there on December 6, so for that to happen we have to try to get a win this week.”

“We have to win the division. We have to get to that ACC Championship game, and win this conference. If we do that then we will have all kinds of opportunities that come along with that.”