ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - There's one more hurdle in third-ranked Clemson's quest to get back to the College Football Playoff - tonight's Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against No. 19 Virginia Tech.
Win, and the Tigers (11-1, No. 3 CFP) are a lock for a berth in the national semifinals for the second straight season.
Lose, and the dream of resolving unfinished business in January is over for Deshaun Watson and Co.
"It's all about the finish now," coach Dabo Swinney said Friday. "The headline everybody is going to remember is the last one."
For the record, Swinney was talking about his team's ACC aspirations.
In reality, anything short of making it back to next month's national title game - and winning - will be a huge disappointment for a team still drawing motivation from a six-point loss to Alabama in last season's final.
Underdog Virginia Tech (9-3, No. 23 CFP) is intent on not only showing up, but making the most of its first appearance in the ACC championship game since 2011.
The Hokies, who last won the conference title six years ago, reject the notion all the pressure is on Clemson.
"That's not where we're at mentally. We know we have a tremendous challenge. We know we're playing a well-coached, talented football team. But we didn't do all this work just to get here. We still have work left to do," Hokies coach Justin Fuente said.
"Our kids are prepared that way. And we know we have to play extremely well in order to get it close there at the end. But I've stayed away from (saying) 'you've got nothing to lose' because I don't believe that," Fuente, the ACC coach of the year, added. "I think we've got a great opportunity, and we've got a great group of kids that have worked incredibly hard for this opportunity."
Swinney was asked how he feels about the prospect of second-ranked Ohio State receiving a spot in the CFP without playing in today's Big Ten championship game, possibly ahead the winner of that game or another league champion.
"Ask me that on Sunday. Right now, it's about beating Virginia Tech. That's really all that matters to me. I could care less about Ohio State or any of the rest of them. We've got to focus on what we're trying to do," the Clemson coach said.
"When it's over on Sunday, I think it would be a very clear picture. I think the committee will get it right," Swinney added. "But for us, we just want to win and be there."