CLEMSON FOOTBALL

ESPN's Jesse Palmer jumped Clemson over Alabama in his latest top-5 ranking.
ESPN's Jesse Palmer jumped Clemson over Alabama in his latest top-5 ranking.

ESPN analysts move Clemson to No. 1


by - Staff Writer -

ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer has seen enough.

Clemson’s the top team in the country now in his estimation.

Last week, his College Football Final co-host Joey Galloway had Clemson No. 1 overall – chalking it up to the defending champs not dropping until they lose, but Palmer had Alabama No. 1 overall.

The 47-21 blowout win over Louisville showed the ex-Florida quarterback all he needed to see.

“I’ve seen what I’ve needed to see from Kelly Bryant through three games,” Palmer said. “It’s so rare that you can lose a once-in-a-generation type player like Deshaun Watson and really not have that much drop-off.

“Through two tough tests against Auburn and now Louisville, Clemson has shown me enough to be the No. 1 team.”

Galloway says the College Football Playoff committee would agree with him and Palmer.

“If the committee was meeting today and sat down and looked at Clemson’s resume with Auburn and now Louisville, they would agree that Clemson has the best resume now,” said Galloway. “The defense is flying around. All we needed to see was Kelly Bryant and he’s been that good. They’re No. 1.”

Galloway’s top-5: 5. USC 4. Penn State 3. Oklahoma 2. Alabama 1. Clemson

Palmer’s top-5: 5. Oklahoma State 4. Penn State 3. Oklahoma 2. Alabama 1. Clemson

ESPN's College GameDay host Rece Davis, who holds an Associated Press top 25 vote, also moved Clemson to No. 1. GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit said the Tigers were his top team on the Clemson-Louisville broadcast Saturday night.

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