FS1’s Klatt: “I don’t hate Clemson – I think Clemson’s great” |
While making some super-early 2018 preseason rankings, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt took a second to address a couple fanbases he’s drawn the ire of this season.
During Playoff rankings debates, the former Colorado quarterback first called Clemson’s ranking too high due to SEC bias - and said that bias was “out of control” when the Tigers moved to No. 2. More recently, Klatt gave Alabama the edge in the Sugar Bowl because, simply, Deshaun Watson is “not walking through those doors.” Klatt’s way, way too early preseason rankings for 2018 place Alabama-Clemson 1-2. “Oh look, it’s the two fanbases that think I hate them more than anyone else,” Klatt said, “and I’m going to put at the top of my college football rankings because you deserve it and I don’t hate either of you. People were like, you picked Alabama because you hate Clemson. No, I don’t hate Clemson. “I think Clemson’s great. I love Dabo Swinney. I think he is right now easily the third-best coach in college football and knocking on the door of – if he beats Nick Saban this year – who knows, right? I love what Clemson’s been able to do. Their recruiting has been super solid. Their defense has been great. I think Kelly Bryant is a really good player.” Klatt sees the two programs sharing a number of characteristics, giving the Crimson Tide the edge in ’18 due to consistently higher recruiting rankings. “The Tigers are 40-3 in the last three years,” he said. “Guess how many (other) teams have won 40 games in the last three years? Zero – only Clemson…Alabama is next on that list and they’re 39-3. “The way that they recruit, the consistency of their coaching staffs, the talent that they put on the field, that’s why they’re going to be at the top two of these rankings until somebody can knock them off.” Klatt’s early 2018 rankings 1. Alabama 2. Clemson 3. Michigan 4. Miami 5. Ohio State 6. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 8. USC 9. Stanford 10. Michigan State .@joelklatt's Way (WAY) Too Early Top 10 for 2018 (sponsored by @drpepper)
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Michigan
4. Miami
5. Ohio State
6. Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. USC
9. Stanford
10. MSU pic.twitter.com/NdwcuPOIc1
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