More national outlets project Clemson's preseason ranking nationally, in ACC

Peter Woods leads Clemson's defense and looks to push the Tigers back to the ACC crown.

by TigerNet Staff - Fri May 10 10:41:54 GMT-04:00 2024

Three recent projections from national college football analysts have Clemson just outside the top of the league and smack dab in the middle of the nation's top teams.

Athlon ranks Clemson at No. 14 overall and second in the ACC behind Florida State (12).

"Is the combination of another offseason of development from coordinator Garrett Riley and a couple of freshmen additions at receiver enough to help quarterback Cade Klubnik elevate his game into one of the best in the ACC? If so, the Tigers could return to the top of the conference. Until the offense finds its footing, coach Dabo Swinney's team can lean on another talented defense," Athlon's Steven Lassan said.

Athlon's Top 5 are Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama. A projected expanded Playoff off of the ranking would be Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State, Utah, Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss, Michigan, Penn State, Missouri and a Group of Five conference champion.

From the ACC, Miami (19), NC State (24) and Louisville (25) also made the Top 25 there.

FOX lead analyst Joel Klatt slotted the Seminoles (12) and Tigers (13) one spot apart in his post-spring Top 25, with Miami also in the rankings from the ACC (18).

He has a Top 5 of Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, and Ole Miss, with a projected CFP then of Ohio State, Georgia, Utah, FSU, Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss, Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, Missouri, and a Group of Five conference champion.

Elsewhere, Cover 3 podcast co-host and CBS Sports analyst Bud Elliott projects Miami as the ACC leader (13) in a tight trio with FSU (14) and Clemson (16). His Top 30 also contains Virginia Tech (23) and NC State (29).

A projected CFP in that ranking would be Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, Utah, Oregon, Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State and a Group of Five conference champion.

Now that spring ball is over, @joelklatt gives you his latest top 25 👏 pic.twitter.com/mhflzzXeTS
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) May 6, 2024