ESPN analysts debate if Clemson or FSU is more likely to reach College Football Playoff

The ACC preseason poll was released last week and Clemson is once again viewed as the favorite to win the league. However, ESPN insider Heather Dinich and ESPN reporter Courtney Cronin both believe it’s Florida State that will finish as the top team in the ACC.

Dinich and Cronin appeared on First Take Thursday morning and shared that they believe the Seminoles will win the league for the first time since 2014 this fall.

“I’m totally on the FSU bandwagon,” Dinich said.

Added Cronin: “My money is on Florida State in all of this. I would like to see Clemson get back to the level of where we were talking about them in that same category as the Georgias and Alabamas. But they’ve been on a downward slide now for the last three years and in the ACC, Florida State has taken advantage of that.”

Dinich added that she believes the Seminoles will lose the first meeting between the two teams, before winning the ACC Championship game. The ACC no longer has divisions, so the top two teams in the league will play for the title in December. She expects that to be Clemson and FSU.

Dinich also feels that Florida State has a real shot to reach the College Football Playoff this year.

“Without divisions, Florida State and Clemson aren’t going to eliminate each other from that conversation. Plus, Florida State opens with LSU. I’m going to go with the Noles in that game. And if Florida State beats LSU and LSU goes on to win the SEC West, that is one heck of a CFP resume for the selection committee on selection day,” Dinich said. “So even if they lose to Clemson, if they make that up with an ACC title… and the flipside is true. If they beat Clemson, but lose a close game in the ACC Championship game. But still have a win against LSU, that all works in their favor on selection day.”

Dinich acknowledged that it’s tough to predict what will happen as far as Florida State’s spot in the College Football Playoff standings without knowing how seasons around the country will unfold. But she does believe Florida State is not only in position to win its first ACC title since 2014 but also reach the CFP for the first time since that year.

“It’s so hard to answer that question without knowing what happens to USC, Ohio State, Michigan, the other Power 5 conferences, Texas,” Dinich said. “I mean this is going to be a fun season.”