Clemson football: Phil Steele CFB preseason top-10 rankings for 2021

Phil Steele includes Clemson football in his CFB preseason top-10 rankings for 2021

Each and every offseason, Clemson football fans- along with the rest of the country- look forward to seeing what projections Phil Steele offers on the upcoming fall.

Steele, who has been releasing predictions for decades now previewing each College Football season, has revealed his preseason top-10 for 2021.

Here’s a look at the group below:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Ohio State
6. Texas A&M
7. Notre Dame
8. North Carolina
9. Iowa State
10. Cincinnati

It’s not surprising to see Clemson football at the top of preseason rankings anymore, but it should never get old

If you’ve been around this Clemson football program for the Dabo Swinney era, you’ve basically grow accustomed to seeing the Tigers atop preseason rankings each and every year, at least for more than the last half-decade.

Since 2015, Clemson has been ranked inside of Phil Steele’s top-10 every season. The Tigers were ranked No. 2 coming into 2018 and they’re ranked No. 2 this season, but they’ve actually never been ranked No. 1 by Steele coming into a season under Swinney.

Still, it should never get old seeing the Tigers in the top-5 and projecting near the top of the nation.

Along with Clemson this year are some usual suspects. Alabama is ranked No. 1 despite some of the losses that the Tide will incur.

Georgia, who Clemson will open up the 2021 season with, is ranked No. 3 and Oklahoma is ranked No. 4. The Sooners return QB Spencer Rattler, who is considered the Heisman favorite heading into this season. After Oklahoma, Steele has Ohio State- which is probably a little low for the Buckeyes- and then Texas A&M at No. 6.

While the Aggies should be much improved and continue to take strides, we’re not prepared to have them that high in a preseason poll until they prove it on the field.

Rounding out the top-10 is Notre Dame, UNC, Iowa State and Cincinnati.