The Clemson Tigers controlled their own destiny for the ACC Championship Game — that is, until their loss to Louisville on Saturday. Now, the Tigers (6-2, 5-1

It was a night of slippage and lost opportunity. The Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) have lost control of their conference destiny. It isn’t impossible for Clemson to make an ACC title game and, possibly, the college football playoff. But the Tigers will need to take care of Pittsburgh, which just lost to SMU, in two weeks’ time.

Clemson’s defense, which entered Saturday ranked No. 52 nationally, was exposed early and often by the Cardinals, who finished with 366 yards of offense and 6.2 yards per play. Louisville gashed the Tigers on the ground, particularly in the first half, and averaged 10.2 yards per carry heading into the break.