A couple of thoughts re: the “if Clemson played in the SEC” hypo:
1) I’ve never subscribed to the idea that players are more likely to be injured against good teams than bad teams. Injuries typically have more to do with a knee or ankle going the wrong way than an opponent playing tough, physical football. So I don’t think Clemson would have had more injuries. Tennessee’s most devastating injuries a few years ago came against App State, losing 2 of our 3 best defensive players.
2) There was a season a few years ago in which the ACC matched up well with the SEC. They even won the head to head series with the SEC that year. Maybe 2018?
3) That said, I think Clemson suffers more losses in the SEC simply because you’re not gonna get away with your down games as easily because the SEC is deeper. That North Carolina game in which they struggled last year is a loss against at least half of the SEC.
4) But THAT said, Clemson would still be a great program in the SEC. If they’re in the SEC East instead of South Carolina, they’re probably competing with Georgia for the division for the last 5-7 years and winning it most of those. Then those epic matchups with Bama would just come earlier in Atlanta. So while they wouldn’t be getting out of the SEC undefeated, they’d still get out with just a loss and a shot at the playoffs, which they’d probably win if they got by Bama in Atlanta (most of those years).