Clemson routinely beats SEC teams.
Other than splitting their last 4 with Alabama 2-2, they haven't lost to a SEC team in 6 years. They beat Alabama, Auburn two e), LSU, TAMU (twice), and South Carolina (5-peat, likely to be six around 3 PM Saturday) the last time they played.
They even beat the Vols in the 2004 Peach Bowl the last time they played. Back then, the Vols were a much better team (10-2) than they are now and the Tigers weren't nearly as good. (8-4)
Those are facts. They trumphypothetical wishful thinking.