EA Sports has been slowly leaking ratings for players and teams over the past couple of weeks and Clemson football fans have had their eyes set on where the Tigers stand.
Clemson is rated the seventh-best overall team with the No. 5 overall offense but the defensive ranking is one that I have to take exception to. Anywhere in the top 10 is fair usually, but for a team that has arguably the best cornerback in the country, an elite linebacking unit, and the nation's top defensive line, you would think they would be getting just slightly more respect.
The Tigers' overall was rated an 88, the offense was rated an 89, and the defense was rated the 10th-best in the game at a 90.
Honestly, that's just a tad too low.
The best defenses in the game, led by the Crimson Tide 🔒 #CFB26 | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/bw3nn5KzCj
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) June 27, 2025
It's hard to argue with Alabama, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, and Georgia in the top five, but to be behind teams like Michigan, Oregon, LSU, and Texas Tech is a little surprising and it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. You could make a legitimate case that Clemson has a better projected defense than at least 2-3 teams ahead of them.
All-in-all, it doesn't much matter what a video game thinks about Clemson's defense, but you'd think having the top overall NFL Draft prospect and three potential first-rounders heading into the 2025 season would earn the Tigers a little more respect.
I wouldn't be shocked if the Tigers had a top-five offense and defense in the game when the mid-season update rolls out in October.