Tar Heels coach: UNC deserves to be in playoff with win against Clemson

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Larry Fedora believes his North Carolina Tar Heels deserve a spot in the College Football Playoffs if they snap Clemson’s 15-game winning streak Saturday night in the ACC championship.

“I most definitely do,” The Tar Heels fourth-year coach said Friday at a news conference. “If we beat the No. 1 team in the nation, then I believe this team deserves to be in the College Football Playoff.” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney agrees. “We’ve got three top-10 teams in this league,” Swinney said. “I don’t think there’s any question that the ACC should be in one of them games. But what do I know? I just hope we’re the one there.”

A win would be a big boost for the Tar Heels’ (11-1, 8-0 ACC, No. 10 CFP) resume given the national stage, but wouldn’t guarantee them entry into the playoff.

The eighth-ranked Tar Heels would likely need outside help to leapfrog the teams ahead of them.

But first there is the matter of beating Clemson (12-0, 8-0 ACC, No. 1 CFP).

Earning their first ACC championship in 35 years means the Tar Heels will have to slow down sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, the ACC player of the year and a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Swinney said Watson is the “complete package,” comparing him to former New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera.

Watson has never lost a game as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

“He really doesn’t have a weakness,” Swinney said. “.... He’s a tough one to beat. He’s not perfect. He’s not some superhuman man. He makes mistakes, but you’re going to have to beat him. I mean, he’s not going to beat himself.” Fedora knows that. Watson torched North Carolina for 435 yards passing and a school-record six TDs last season. The Tar Heels defense has improved dramatically this year under new coordinator Gene Chizik, but will face the best quarterback—and perhaps wide receivers—they’ve seen all season.

“He can extend plays,” Fedora said. “And the thing I think that’s most impressive about him is his poise. I don’t think you ever see him get rattled. ... They’ve got a rock that they can rely on, and I think he makes it extremely difficult for a defense.”