Clemson stays No. 1 in one poll, drops in ESPN top-25 |
Three-straight Playoff matchups will likely turn into a fourth if the preseason rankings hold for Clemson and Alabama this season.
ESPN joined a number of post-spring rankings already in placing Alabama ahead of Clemson at No. 1. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach previously had the Tigers as the top team after NFL draft decisions and then again post-Signing Day. Schlabach didn’t note exactly why he swapped the two, but he is impressed with the Crimson Tide defense out of the spring. “One thing that's certain: Alabama's defensive line is going to be scary good, even without Da'Ron Payne and Da'Shawn Hand,” Schlabach writes. “Defensive ends Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs and Quinnen Williams looked fantastic this spring, and Nick Saban said the Tide's defensive front is more athletic and faster than it was a year ago.” Schlabach sees Trevor Lawrence pushing Kelly Bryant for the starting QB role. “The 6-foot-5, 205-pound freshman completed 11 of 16 passes for 122 yards with one touchdown in the spring game,” said Schlabach, “and Clemson's coaches have raved about his physical skills and ability to grasp the offense. “It wouldn't be a surprise to see both Lawrence and Bryant play in the Sept. 1 opener against FCS foe Furman, which is followed by a big Sept. 8 trip to Texas A&M.” Miami is the next-best out of ACC at No. 8 and then Virginia Tech (15), with Florida State dropping out of his top 25. Texas A&M checks in at No. 23 and South Carolina is No. 25. USA TODAY keeps Tigers at No. 1 USA TODAY didn’t change course on its preseason No. 1 projection for Clemson Tuesday. “It’s a return trip to the College Football Playoff or bust for Dabo Swinney and Clemson,” Paul Myerberg writes, “and the argument is there for the Tigers as the top team in the country entering the summer.” Miami cracks the top-10, at No. 10, with Virginia Tech at No. 18 and South Carolina new to the ranking at No. 24. Clemson post-spring rankings USA TODAY: 1 ESPN: 2 Sporting News: 2 CBS Sports: 2 The Athletic: 2
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