ESPN Power Index predictions for Clemson football's ACC championship, CFP chances in 2023

Christina Long, Greenville News
Updated ·2 min read
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ESPN released its 2023 Football Power Index rankings and playoff predictions Tuesday, including projected records, conference championship chances and playoff odds for all FBS programs. Clemson football comes in at No. 8 with an FPI of 19.4. The model projects the Tigers to finish 10-2.

The Tigers ended 2022 at No. 9 in FPI (17.6) after a 10-2 regular season, an ACC championship and an Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee.

ESPN's model gives the Tigers a strong chance at the 2023 ACC championship, and it significantly favors them over a Florida State team that's generated plenty of buzz headed into this season. Early polls have the Seminoles ahead of Clemson nationally. FPI, however, has the Tigers as the the highest-ranked ACC team, ahead of the No. 14 Seminoles.

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Clemson has the highest chance (44.5%) to win the ACC. Florida State is the second-most likely champion with a 17% chance at the title.

But the model isn't as high on the idea of a playoff-bound Clemson, giving them a 24.2% chance at making it in. However, it currently has three teams — Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama — well above the rest of the potential playoff field.

Behind those frontrunners, the next five teams are relatively close to one another. The margin between No. 3 Alabama (62.1%) and No. 4 Texas (34.2%) is far greater than between Texas and Clemson, which has the seventh-best chance at the playoff. The Tigers aren't far behind USC (24.7%) and Michigan (25.2%).

Finally, ESPN gives the Tigers an 8.1% chance at a national championship appearance and a 2.8% chance to win it all.

Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football predictions 2023: ACC championship, CFP odds by ESPN