Here we go again. The national media just can't help themselves—they're sleeping on Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers after last year's 7-6 stumble, and you better believe that's just more fuel for the fire in Tiger Town. If these so-called experts want to hand out bulletin-board material, we'll take it all summer long.
CBS Sports just dropped their post-spring ACC power rankings, lining up all 17 teams in the new-look league. Miami, fresh off a national title game run, sits at No. 1, with SMU, Louisville, Pitt, and Virginia filling out the top five. But let's be honest—none of those teams have the tradition or the target on their back like Clemson.
Clemson lands at No. 6—hard to believe for a program that not so long ago owned the ACC and made Death Valley the most feared place in college football. The days of Tiger dominance aren't ancient history, and you can bet this team remembers.
The National Skepticism
That tumble down the ACC pecking order is just the latest sign of the national doubt swirling around Clemson's roster and quarterback room. CBS Sports' David Cobb says getting back to the College Football Playoff—a place the Tigers have called home seven times since 2015—will be a 'tall task' this year. Sounds like the same old story: folks counting out Clemson before the first snap.
Cobb pointed directly to a dip in high school recruiting rankings and a conservative approach to the transfer portal as primary causes for concern:
“Clemson’s past two high school recruiting classes ranked No. 21 and No. 31 in the 247Sports team rankings. That’s good by ACC standards but poor by the standards of a recent national powerhouse,” Cobb wrote. “Though the Tigers are now taking more transfers than before, they aren’t using the portal to accumulate stars. This year’s haul slots in at No. 66 in the 247Sports transfer rankings.”
The big question, as always, is at quarterback. With Cade Klubnik moving on, it's Christopher Vizzina's turn to step up and show what he's made of, this time with Chad Morris back calling the shots. The so-called experts say Clemson has the talent to finish near the top of the ACC, but they doubt Vizzina can lead the Tigers back to the Playoff. That's just more motivation for a program that thrives when the spotlight is brightest.
The Consensus Consensus
CBS Sports isn't alone in doubting the Tigers. USA Today just released their own post-spring ACC rankings and dropped Clemson to No. 7. The disrespect is piling up, and you can bet the Tigers are taking notes.
Nationally, it's the same story—Clemson barely cracks the preseason Top 25 in most polls. The experts are writing off the Tigers before a single down is played:
- CBS Sports National Top 25:Â No. 22
- Fox Sports National Top 25:Â No. 22
- USA Today National Top 25:Â No. 24
Let the doubters talk. Dabo Swinney has built his legacy on proving people wrong, and Clemson has always thrived when the world counts them out. The road back starts September 5, and you can bet the Tigers will be ready to make a statement under the lights at Death Valley South.
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