The Citadel’s $475,000 is in line with what Clemson’s paid to other in-state FCS programs for making the trip to Death Valley. Greenville-based Furman got $415,000 for a 2022 visit, and Charleston Southern was paid $400,000 for a game last year, The State previously reported.

However, with the prowess of the Big Ten and SEC, the ACC might only see its champion as the lone representative in the bracket. ESPN's Playoff Predictor currently lends Clemson a 20 percent chance of qualifying for the field.

The most compelling aspect of the College Football Playoff race at the moment may not be who will get into the 12-team field but who will be left out. A logjam of two-loss SEC teams, including Tennessee,