Pollack, McElroy Chime in on Clemson in 12-Team CFP Conversation

Former ESPN analyst David Pollack recently joined an episode of Always College Football with current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy.

Toward the end of Pollack’s appearance on the show, he was asked how many teams from each conference that he thinks will end up making this season’s 12-team College Football Playoff, which will feature the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

Right now, Pollack said he sees five SEC teams getting in the playoff (Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss or Missouri), while Pollack believes the Big Ten could put as many as three teams in (Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State).

As for other playoff teams, Pollack has Miami getting in from the ACC, with two other spots going to the Big 12 champ and a Group of Five team.

That adds up to 11 teams, which leaves plenty of debate for that final playoff spot – so, Pollack asked McElroy to give the last team he would put into the CFP.

McElroy was quick to mention Clemson.

“My thing would be Clemson,” McElroy said.

“They’re not going to lose again probably,” Pollack replied.

McElroy added that “Clemson can score,” but he’s “a little concerned about their defense.”

“For the first time maybe since I’ve been doing this, I don’t think their defense is great,” he said. “I think they’re good, I think they’re fine – I just don’t know if they’re great. It’s kind of like back to the seesaw battle. Like now the offense is rolling, so the defense lets off.”

Pollack then asked McElroy if he trusts the Tigers’ offense, considering how it looked in the season-opening 34-3 loss to Georgia, before exploding for a total of 125 points in the wins over App State and NC State.

“I think that their offense will be legit,” McElroy said. “Like, I think those receivers are only going to get better. I think the O-line has found a little bit of a niche. I think Klubnik is playing super confident right now, and I don’t know what defense is going to scare them to death. Like, what defense is going to give them a lot of fits? Prior to when they play against Miami in the ACC Championship Game, assuming they get there. I just don’t know who that is. Is it Louisville at home?”

Added Pollack, as he and McElroy wrapped up the Clemson conversation: “Death Valley, they don’t lose very often, man. As soon as they scored on NC State 14-0, you’re like, with that crowd – actually when it was 7-0… you’re like, you don’t wanna rile that cage. Like, ‘C-L-E-M-S-O-N’ is going nuts, and you’re going nuts, and I’m texting you during the game.”

You can check out the full episode of Always College Football featuring McElroy and Pollack below:

–Photo courtesy Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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