Phil Steele’s preseason rankings are out, and once again, Clemson is right back in the thick of the national conversation—whether the national media likes it Steele has Clemson at No. 24 out of 138 FBS teams, making the Tigers one of just four ACC squads in his Top 25. Miami leads the way for the league at No. 9, SMU sneaks in at No. 22, sits at No. 24, and barely makes the cut at No. 25. And for those who care, South Carolina somehow landed at No. 16.t No. 16.
Clemson is back in the Top 25, but let’s be honest, the Tigers are not exactly getting showered with national title hype this summer. The roster is stacked with talent—no surprise there—but after last year’s stumble, the national talking heads are still pumping the brakes.
Most of the skepticism is aimed squarely at the offense. Chad Morris is back calling the shots, but he’s working with a new quarterback and a bunch of fresh faces replacing Tigers now chasing NFL paychecks. Translation: some young guys are going to have to grow up in a hurry.
There’s no soft launch for Clemson; it faces one of the nation’s toughest opening stretches, starting with a trip to Baton Rouge to take on No. 21 LSU. Then it’s a cross-country flight to Cal, followed by a showdown with No. 9 Miami in Death Valley. Welcome to the deep end.ey not long after.
That opening stretch should provide an immediate measuring stick. If Clemson can come through it with momentum, Steele’s No. 24 ranking could end up looking far too conservative by the middle of the season.
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