SerpApi.Org
Phil Steele’s annual preseason rankings are one of the more anticipated publications every offseason, and this year’s list includes Clemson among the nation’s top teams.
The veteran college football analyst placed the Tigers at No. 24 in his rankings of all 138 FBS programs. Four ACC schools made the cut, led by Miami at No. 9. SMU landed at No. 22, Clemson followed at No. 24 and Florida State rounded out the conference’s ranked teams at No. 25. South Carolina also earned a spot, checking in at No. 16.
While Clemson enters the season in the Top 25, it isn’t being viewed as one of the favorites to compete for a national championship. Instead, the Tigers are seen as a team with talent but also enough uncertainty to keep expectations in check after last year’s disappointing finish.
Much of that uncertainty comes from the changes on offense. Chad Morris returns to run the unit, but he’ll be doing so with a new starting quarterback. Clemson is also replacing several players who moved on to the NFL, meaning plenty of new faces will be counted on right away.
The Tigers won’t have much time to settle into those roles.
One of the country’s toughest opening schedules awaits, beginning with a trip to Baton Rouge to face No. 21 LSU. Clemson also has an early cross-country trip to Cal before welcoming No. 9 Miami to Death Valley not long after.
That opening stretch should provide an immediate measuring stick. If Clemson can come through it with momentum, Steele’s No. 24 ranking could end up looking far too conservative by the middle of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Where Clemson lands in highly regarded national analysts’ preseason Top 25
