Clemson earns spot in first CFP ranking of 2024. South Carolina misses the cut

The first College Football Playoff ranking is 2024 is out, and the Clemson football team has made its season debut in the top 25 (just barely).

But South Carolina wasn’t included.

The Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) came in at No. 23 during the first rankings release broadcast Tuesday night on ESPN after a disappointing home loss on Saturday.

There was some buzz the Gamecocks (5-3, 3-3 SEC) could sneak in after a big home win, but they weren’t included in the initial ranking.

Clemson and coach Dabo Swinney saw their CFP ranking plummet from a spot likely just outside the top 10 to comfortably outside it after a home loss to unranked Louisville. The Tigers controlled their own destiny for an ACC championship appearance (and possible auto-bid) before losing to the Cardinals.

Clemson is making its first appearance since finishing No. 22 in the final 2023 poll. The Tigers ranked 24, 23 and 22 over the last three polls of the year as they mounted a late-season winning streak after a 4-4 start.

South Carolina upset Texas A&M at home on Saturday night, which prompted a field storm, and has won two straight SEC games since a 3-3 and 1-3 conference start.

USC is seeking its first appearance in the CFP Top 25 since the final poll in 2022 during coach Shane Beamer’s second season.

Beamer was asked Tuesday how much a CFP ranking would mean for his program.

“Does it matter if we come out and we’re ranked No. 1 or we’re ranked 25th or if we’re not ranked at all? It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I won’t use it as motivation in any way. We have a 1-0 mentality right now. That’s all we’re focused on.”

Swinney agreed with that mindset.

“No, I’m not tuned in and sitting there waiting,” Swinney said Tuesday. “I’m trying to find a way to beat Virginia Tech. That’s all I’m worried about. A lot can happen in college football. Just when you think you know, you don’t know.”

This is the first year of the highly anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff after the field operated with just four teams from 2014-23.

In the new format, the top five highest ranked conference champions get automatic bids to the playoff, the top four highest ranked conference champs get first-round byes and the remaining seven teams will be selected as at-large bids.

This is the first of five weekly rankings that will arrive each Tuesday before the CFP selection committee determines the final 12-team field on Selection Sunday (Dec. 8), the day after conference title games are completed.

First CFP Top 25 ranking

1. Oregon (9-0)
2. Ohio State (7-1)
3. Georgia (7-1)
4. Miami (9-0)
5. Texas (7-1)
6. Penn State (7-1)
7. Tennessee (7-1)
8. Indiana (9-0)
9. BYU (8-0)
10. Notre Dame (7-1)
11. Alabama (6-2)
12. Boise State (7-1)
13. SMU (8-1)
14. Texas A&M (7-2)
15. LSU (6-2)
16. Ole Miss (7-2)
17. Iowa State (7-1)
18. Pitt (7-1)
19. Kansas State (7-2)
20. Colorado (6-2)
21. Washington State (7-1)
22. Louisville (6-3)
23. Clemson (6-2)
24. Missouri (6-2)
25. Army (8-0)

First CFP 12-team bracket

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Clemson earns spot in first CFP ranking of 2024. South Carolina misses the cut."

Chapel Fowler

The State

Chapel Fowler, the NSMA’s 2024 South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year, has covered Clemson football and other topics for The State since summer 2022. His work’s also been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the South Carolina Press Association and the North Carolina Press Association. He’s a Denver, N.C., native, a UNC-Chapel Hill alum and a pickup basketball enthusiast. Support my work with a digital subscription