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Where will Clemson football be ranked in the AP Preseason Poll?

By Andrew Boardwine

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper is seen prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy presented by Dr Pepper is seen prior to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The 2017 preseason AP Poll will be released today at noon. Where will Clemson football fall in the poll? Here’s our prediction for the Tigers.

The 2017 preseason AP Poll will be released today at noon. The big question is where will Clemson football fall in the preseason poll?

The Tigers are the defending 2016 College Football Playoff National Champions, but many members of the media see all the losses that the Tigers suffered and believe Clemson football will take a step back.

Here is our predicted 2017 AP preseason top-10 poll:

Predicted AP preseason top-10 for 2017:

  1. Alabama
  2. Ohio State
  3. Florida State
  4. USC
  5. Penn State
  6. Clemson
  7. Oklahoma
  8. Washington
  9. Michigan
  10. Wisconsin

*Note: This is NOT my top-10. This a predicted top-10 for the AP Poll.

Poll Problems:

It very well could be that Oklahoma starts out No. 5 and Penn State falls to No. 7, but I truly believe Clemson football will start the year ranked number six.

My problem, honestly, is just the whole idea about Ohio State, USC, Penn State, or Oklahoma being ranked ahead of the Tigers. The Buckeyes just lost to Clemson 31-0, but no one seems to remember that.

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Penn State had one good year and, while they do return several key pieces, there are a ton of questions surrounding that program. The same can be said about USC, but at least the Trojans have a proven QB and plenty of 5-star talent from years of recruiting.

Don’t even get me started on Oklahoma.

I believe that several of these teams have a chance at the College Football Playoff, but I’d say that Clemson deserves to still be ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions, the Sooners, and Ohio State, especially with what the Tigers return on defense.

The Bright Side:

If Clemson football starts out the season ranked No. 6, that is still pretty good.

It means that you’re going to have a chance to be in the top-four within a couple of weeks, assuming you win and everything else will take care of itself.

The truth is that the AP Poll means nothing. It’s just something fun to look at before the real poll- the College Football Playoff poll- gets here in November.

Normally, the media is very biased, but I still believe that if the Tigers start No. 6 or better, that is still showing respect to the Clemson program.

Next: Is Hunter Johnson or Zerrick Copper the No. 2 QB for Clemson?

What do you think Clemson football fans? Where do you think the Tigers will start out the season ranked? Where do you think Clemson deserves to be ranked? Comment below!

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