Clemson ties best AP preseason ranking |
Clemson tied its highest preseason ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 2 overall on Monday.
The Tigers, which were also ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll this month, have surpassed (six seasons) or matched (one) their preseason AP ranking each of the previous seven seasons. They are seeking a similar path 2016 when they were ranked No. 2 preseason to Alabama and ascended to the top spot after downing the Crimson Tide in national championship game. The Tigers did grab more first-place votes than the Coaches Poll (3), drawing 18 first-place nods behind Alabama’s 42. The top-five is rounded out by Georgia, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Other ACC teams to make the list are Miami (8), Florida State (19) and Virginia Tech (20). Clemson started last season ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and finished No. 4, after taking a No. 1 ranking into the College Football Playoff. This is the fifth Top 5 preseason ranking in the AP Poll in school history, including 1984 (No. 4), 1988 (4), 2016 (2) and 2017 (5). Clemson has now been ranked in the AP Top 25 in the preseason in seven consecutive years, which is the second-longest streak in school history. The Tigers garnered a Top 25 preseason ranking from the AP in eight consecutive years under three different head coaches across the 1987-94 seasons. Clemson was also ranked No. 2 in the FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll on Monday, tallying 14 of the 52 first-place votes. AP Top 25 - Preseason 1. Alabama (42 first-place votes) 2. Clemson (18) 3. Georgia 4. Wisconsin (1) 5. Ohio State 6. Washington 7. Oklahoma 8. Miami 9. Auburn 10. Penn State 11. Michigan State 12. Notre Dame 13. Stanford 14. Michigan 15. Southern Cal 16. TCU 17. West Virginia 18. Mississippi State 19. Florida State 20. Virginia Tech 21. UCF 22. Boise State 23. Texas 24. Oregon 25. LSU
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now