“The Tigers failed to score an offensive touchdown but held South Carolina to just 169 total yards to pull out the win in Columbia,” ESPN wrote. “Clemson tallied a defensive touchdown just two plays into the game on a 43-yard scoop and score by Khalil Barnes. It was the fifth defensive TD of the season for Clemson, tied for the most in the FBS with Arkansas, Michigan and Washington State. Jonathan Weitz’s three field goals made the difference for the Tigers in the 16-7 decision.”
ESPN released its latest college football power rankings on Sunday, stacking up the top 25 teams following Week 13 of the season.
Clemson (8-4, 4-4 ACC) re-entered the power rankings following its 16-7 win over South Carolina on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Tigers just cracked the power rankings, coming in at No. 25 after the final week of the regular season.
This marks the first time Clemson has appeared in ESPN’s CFB power rankings since Sept. 5, when the Tigers were also ranked No. 25 after the season-opening loss at Duke. Clemson began this season as the No. 9 team in ESPN’s preseason power rankings.
Clemson will now await its bowl destination after finishing the regular season in strong fashion with four consecutive wins, including a pair of victories over teams that were ranked at the time they played in Notre Dame and North Carolina.
Georgia is No. 1 overall in ESPN’s latest power rankings, with Michigan, Washington and Florida State rounding out the top four, in that order.
Besides Clemson and FSU, the two other ACC teams in ESPN’s latest power rankings are Louisville (No. 16) and NC State (No. 22).
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