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CLEMSON -- The Clemson Tigers (7-1, 5-1) debuted at No. 4 in Tuesday night's initial College Football Playoff rankings. The Tigers followed No. 1 Georgia (8-0, 5-0), No. 2 Alabama (8-0, 5-0) and No. 3 Notre Dame (7-1).

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The Tigers are in the middle of preparation for Saturday afternoon's matchup versus No. 20-ranked N.C. State (6-2, 4-0) in Raleigh. The Wolfpack, which opened Sunday as a 7-point underdog to the Tigers, have not defeated Clemson since 2011. N.C. State owns just seven victories over the Tigers in the last 25 years.

Clemson is expected to make it to the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive year should it win out. The Tigers, a lined favorite this weekend, also will be a lined favorite versus Florida State (Nov. 11), The Citadel (Nov. 18) and rival South Carolina (Nov. 25). Clemson also would project to be a favorite over either Miami (7-0, 5-0) or Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1) in the ACC Championship Game should it win the Atlantic Division.

INITIAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS (Top 10):

1. Georgia (8-0, 5-0)

2. Alabama (8-0, 5-0)

3. Notre Dame (7-1)

4. Clemson (7-1, 5-1)

5. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1)

6. Ohio State (7-1, 5-0)

7. Penn State (7-1, 4-1)

8. TCU (7-1, 4-1)

9. Wisconsin (8-0, 5-0)

10. Miami (7-0, 5-0)

Said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney Tuesday when asked about the initial College Football Playoff rankings:

"They can have us 10th. It does not matter. If they have us second and we get our butts beat this week, it does not matter. If they have us 10th and we win out, we'll be where we need to be. Today, that doesn't mean anything. It just does not matter. If you win and things are all said and done, we'll have a chance. That last poll matters. It's irrelevant now. I know it matters to fans, but it is so irrelevant to what will happen in Raleigh this weekend."

Clemson athletics director Dan Radakovich is a member of the College Football Playoff committee. Radakovich has served on the committee for four straight years.

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