Wake Forest, Clemson In De facto Playoff

"Survive and advance" is a cliche reserved for playoffs or tournaments. Not for the playoff-less college football. But the notion of winning and staying alive is appropriate for the Clemson-Wake Forest matchup this weekend. Both teams enter the game with two conference losses. The winner will still have a chance to catch Boston College in the standings and win the ACC Atlantic Division. The loser is done.

Of the two contenders Clemson in under much more pressure. They were one of the preseason conference favorites, have one of the most talented backfields in football and a perennially underachieving coach in Tommy Bowden.

If Clemson is facing huge expectations, Wake Forest is playing with house money. Not much was expected of the defending ACC champ, yet the plucky Deacons have proven that last year's run wasn't a fluke.

While the loser of this game has an non-descript December Bowl to look forward to, the winner will still have some work to do (this is where the survive and advance comes in). Winning this game only keeps hope alive. To clinch the division the winner will still have to run the table in ACC games. A tough task but aren't all playoffs?