College Football: Preseason Top 25 Projections

Clemson has become a perennial contender for not just the ACC title but the national title. The 2016 College Football Playoff champions were back in the final four last year for Alabama-Clemson III. This time the Tigers had no answer for the Crimson Tide, falling 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Kelly Bryant returns for what should be a solid second season as a starter. Last year, Bryant threw for a relatively pedestrian 2800 yards. Only once, in September at Louisville, did Bryant go over 300 passing yards in a game. But with Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne returning in the backfield, Bryant will have plenty of support on the ground. Both Feaster and Etienne could vie for 1000-yard seasons in 2018 after strong showings last year.

Clemson lost a few key players on defense, but nine starters return to the unit. Especially critical for their hopes of a fourth straight College Football Playoff appearance is the return of all four defensive linemen from last year’s squad. That alone should earn Clemson a couple of first-place votes in the initial AP Top 25.