Clemson drops spot, new No. 1 named in latest 247Sports preseason Top 25

Cade Klubnik and the Tigers are No. 16 going into the summer by the latest 247Sports college football team rankings.

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Apr 22 15:00:07 GMT-04:00 2024

Clemson dropped one spot and a new No. 1 was named in the latest 247Sports preseason 2024 college football Top 25.

Dabo Swinney's Tigers are ranked No. 16 overall now as the third-best from the ACC, behind Florida State (11) and Miami (14).

"Are we still feeling about about the Tigers' chances near the top of the ACC race or is reigning champion Florida State the team to beat with Miami gaining steam? Coming out of spring, the hype seems to have simmered a bit on Clemson — just the way Dabo Swinney likes it," 247Sports' Brad Crawford writes. "Clemson gets Phil Mafah back, but it's going to have to manufacture production elsewhere in the run game to take some of the pressure off Cade Klubnik, who's back for his second season as the Tigers' QB1. Swinney liked the progress his signal caller made this spring. Clemson's defense should be one of the nation's best."

While No. 1 in most spots, opener opponent Georgia is down to No. 2 behind Ohio State for the outlet.

"There is plenty of ammunition left in the chamber for the Bulldogs despite Georgia seeing its school-record 29-game winning streak snapped in last year's SEC Championship Game by Alabama," Crawford said. "That was the only blemish during another otherwise flawless season at a program with two national titles over the last three seasons. Where are the weaknesses for Georgia in 2024? One would be hard-pressed to find any. After signing another top-ranked recruiting class and convincing quarterback Carson Beck to return, the Bulldogs are one of the favorites to win another title. The schedule is arduous, but this team has enough talent to overcome it."

Texas and Oregon complete the Top 4, and a projected 12-team Playoff out of the rankings would be Ohio State, Georgia, FSU, Kansas State, Texas, Oregon, Alabama, Ole Miss, Michigan, Missouri, Penn State and an unranked non-Power league champ.

The Top 25 also has three more ACC reps in NC State (20) and November Clemson opponents Virginia Tech (24) and Louisville (25).

Clemson opens with the Bulldogs in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31.