ESPN analyst thinks Clemson will play for a National Championship in 2018
Kirk Herbstreit has been one of college football's most iconic personalities since 1996. He's had a loyal tenure on College Gameday and indistinguishable voice commentated the EA's NCAA Football video game series for most of its existence.
Herbstreit ran into some folks from USA Today, who asked him to make a few predictions for the 2018 season. Clemson was mentioned in the playoff field and the National Championship.
His playoff picks were pretty simple:
I’m going to go Alabama and Clemson … just, like, put them in. And then I’m going to go Penn State and Washington.
Herbstreit had Clemson beating Penn State and losing to Alabama for the second straight season:
If those are the four, then it’ll be ‘Bama and probably Washington, and Clemson and Penn State. I’m just trying to go with anybody but Alabama and Clemson, but I think it’s going to be Alabama and Clemson. And I think Alabama is going to beat Clemson in what, round four now?
Yesterday, Herbstreit solidified his picks during the first College GameDay of the season. In fact, all three analysts Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, and Herbstreit all had Clemson winning the ACC Championship and in the playoffs.
Corso noted, "Clemson over Miami, the defensive line is the secret. Boy, they are tough."
All three placed Clemson in the College Football Playoff, but none selected Clemson to win the title in 2018. After his picks, Herbstreit noted, "We're not trying to go out on a limb. I'm trying to pick what's right."
| Desmond Howard | #1 Michigan vs. #4 West Virginia | #2 Alabama vs. #3 Clemson |
| Lee Corso | #1 Clemson vs. #4 Washington | #2 Wisconsin vs. #3 Georgia |
| Kirk Herbstreit | #1 Alabama vs. #4 Washington | #2 Clemson vs. #3 Penn State |
(Team in bold was picked to win the title)
Read what else Herbstreit thinks will happen in 2018 here.