Updated ESPN playoff predictions and rankings for Clemson after a wild weekend

College football's chaotic Saturday makes Clemson look good.

ESPN has Clemson at No. 9 overall when the playoff rankings are announced today, after a weekend that saw the Tigers improve to 4-1 and upset a slew of top-ranked teams.

In a 13-person ESPN panel, Chris Low pushes the Tigers into the ACC auto bid at No. 3 overall, while overall, for the first time, there is unanimity that Clemson is at least in the CFP field as an overall player.

247Sports joins Low in Clemson's ACC title selection, securing third place against Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Peach Bowl.

Elsewhere, CBS Sports is scheduling a rematch between Clemson and Georgia in Athens for the first round of the CFP.

Heather Dinich currently has the Tigers as her No. 4 one-loss team, behind an SEC trio of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

“Since its season-opening loss to Georgia, Clemson has rattled off four straight wins in convincing fashion, including its first true road win on Saturday at Florida State,” Dinich said. “While other contenders have struggled and struggled to find consistency, the Tigers are improving week on week and the offense appears to have found its rhythm while the defense remains one of the best in the country. While the season-opening loss was to the Bulldogs, it's still a one-sided loss to a top-five contender, which will soften the blow somewhat in the committee boardroom.

However, Clemson's upcoming schedule gives Dinich some concern if he doesn't take care of business.

“If Louisville falls out of the top 25 after its loss to SMU, Clemson may not be able to pick up regular-season wins against ranked opponents this season (perhaps Pitt sneaks in?). If Clemson doesn't win the ACC, that would be a problem.” “That's part of the discussion in the committee room – unless the Tigers continue to dominate their opponents and leave no doubt that they are a playoff team despite being in one “We play in a weak league,” said Dinich.

Their full top 12 projection is Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Oregon, Miami, Clemson, Ole Miss, BYU and Boise State. This leaves the Tigers with a scheduled trip to Penn State in the first round of the CFP.

Four top-10 teams lost on Saturday, with previous No. 1 Alabama at Vandy (40-35), No. 4 Tennessee at Arkansas (19-14), No. 9 Missouri at Texas A&M (41-10) and No. 10 Michigan vs. Washington (27-17). No. 8 Miami narrowly avoided a loss at Cal, 39-38, and No. 11 USC also lost at Minnesota, 24-17.