Clemson Football Ranked in AP Top-5: Reactions, Thoughts, Analysis

The AP released its preseason top-25 poll this afternoon and Clemson football, the defending national champions, were ranked in the top-five.

The Associated Press released its 2017 preseason top-25 poll this afternoon.

This morning, I predicted that Clemson football will come into the poll at No. 6 in the nation, but to my surprise, the Tigers were actually a bit higher.

Clemson football comes into the 2017 AP preseason poll at No. 5 in the nation. Here’s the other top-25 via the AP.

2017 AP Preseason Top-25 Poll:

Alabama

Ohio State

Florida State

USC

Clemson

Penn State

Oklahoma

Washington

Wisconsin

Oklahoma State

Michigan

Auburn

LSU

Stanford

Georgia

More from Rubbing the Rock

Louisville

Florida

Miami

USF

Kansas State

Virginia Tech

West Virginia

Texas

Washington State

Tennessee

Reaction:

Starting out underrated at No. 5 in the nation with a coach like Dabo Swinney couldn’t be any better.

I think that’s almost perfect placement for Clemson football to start 2017. Obviously, I still believe that Ohio State is extremely overrated, but it very well may not take long for the Tigers to be in the top-four.

Honestly, all you have to do is win.

Starting out at No. 5 is also good for the Tigers as it allows for a loss without taking a huge hit in the polls. If Clemson football loses a game, they will still be in position to get back in the top-four before the season is over.

Overrated:

2. Ohio State, 15. Georgia, 22. West Virginia, 23. Texas, 25. Tennessee

I think it’s ridiculous that Georgia is ranked in the top-15. There are three teams from the SEC East in the top-25 and, honestly, that’s the worst division in College Football. Tennessee being ranked is a complete joke. The Vols aren’t top-25 worthy at.

Texas gets into the top-25 based upon their name. The same can be said, on a smaller scale, for West Virginia.

I think Michigan could also be considered on this list, but No. 11 is far enough down for the Wolverines, but their Big Ten counterpart Ohio State is ranked No. 2 just because of their name. The Buckeyes got blown out and shutout in the College Football Playoff. I understand why Ohio State is ranked so high. When you have a schedule with one team on it that is any good (Oklahoma), it makes it a lot easier to get to the playoff.

Top-25 opponents:

3. Florida State, 12. Auburn, 16. Louisville, 21. Virginia Tech

There are four AP preseason ranked opponents for the Tigers in 2017, three in the top-16. NC State is also receiving votes and, after a win against South Carolina in Week 1, could very well find itself in the top-25.

Where will they be when Clemson football plays them?

I’d expect that Auburn will be right around where they are now. Auburn could be as high as No. 10 when they come to Tiger Town the second week of the year.

If Louisville beats Purdue and UNC, which they should, I’d think the Cardinals will be ranked around No. 10 in the nation, if not a bit higher, when they match up with the Tigers.

Virginia Tech has West Virginia, Delaware, East Carolina, and Old Dominion before they play Clemson. There’s a chance the Hokies could be undefeated when the two teams match up. If they are, they could be inside the top-12 in the country.

Next: SI.com names two Tigers with Heisman potential

Florida State, although they will most likely drop a game somewhere, will be in the top-five when Clemson faces them in November.

There’s a lot of potential for the 2017 Clemson football schedule and, despite maybe being a little underrated, the Tigers are in great shape to begin the season.

Home/Clemson Football