Paul Finebaum Names College Football Playoff Contender He Doesn't 'Feel That Great About'

"Probably not," Finebaum said. "There's no way you could look at Clemson and feel that great about them. I think Miami is at the moment."

Clemson’s Confidence Problem

The Tigers have an SEC problem. Clemson is 0-4 against SEC teams the last two seasons. Two of those games were decisive double-digit losses; the other two were one-score games.

One of those close games occurred on Saturday against LSU, when Clemson lost 17-10. Clemson's offense struggled throughout the game, finishing with only 261 total yards. Star quarterback Cade Klubnik had a disappointing performance, completing 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards, along with one interception and no touchdowns. Adam Randall was the team's leading rusher, but he managed only 16 yards.

The defense performed quite well, limiting a potent LSU offense to only 17 points. Clemson recorded eight tackles for loss and one sack. Additionally, the Tigers restricted LSU's running game to just 108 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.

Miami Surging Into the ACC Spotlight

With Clemson struggling, the Miami Hurricanes took full advantage. Finebaum said he feels they might be the best team in the ACC now. Miami, now ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25, beat the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27-24 on Sunday.

New quarterback Carson Beck threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was strong, limiting Notre Dame's run game to just 93 yards and one touchdown. The Hurricanes effectively held Jeremiyah Love, who is arguably the best running back in college football, to only 33 yards on 3.3 yards per carry.

Clemson’s defense looked playoff-caliber against LSU, but its offensive problems and continued failures against the SEC are becoming harder to ignore. Miami, meanwhile, looks like the team on the rise after its win over Notre Dame.

The two don’t meet in the regular season, which means the ACC Championship Game could decide who keeps the conference's playoff hopes alive. For Clemson, that leaves little margin for error, and as Finebaum hinted, the Tigers may already be running out of time to prove they’re truly “back.”