The NCAA recognizes ALL CFP games as "bowl games". I've seen some opposing fans claiming Clemson did not make a bowl game this year which is not close to being correct.
Saturday was Clemson's 51st bowl game of all-time and the Tigers now have a bowl record of 27-24. The 27 wins in bowl games is 10th-most in College Football History.
Saturday was also Clemson's 19th Major Bowl game in its history. The Tigers are now 10-9 in those 19 games.
Clemson's 19 Major Bowl game appearances are 19 more than South Carolina has, who has never played in a Major Bowl in 133 years of playing football.