Clemson Ranked 14th In Preseason Coaches Poll

CLEMSON, S.C. (CU SID) — Clemson is ranked 14th in the preseason USA Today College football poll. It is the second highest preseason ranking for the Clemson program since 1988. The Tigers were ranked ninth in the preseason AP and USA Today polls prior to the 2008 season. This is just the fifth time since 1998 that Clemson has been ranked in the preseason of either the AP or USA Today preseason polls. Clemson was fourth in 1988 in both polls, the last time Clemson had a top five preseason ranking. There are four teams on Clemson‘s schedule that are ranked in the top 25 by USA Today. The others are Florida State (7), South Carolina (9), Virginia Tech (20) and Auburn (25). Clemson finished the 2011 season ranked 22nd in the final USA Today poll. Dabo Swinney will attempt to bring Clemson to consecutive top 25 finishes for the first time since 1990-91. Clemson actually had six consecutive top 25 final rankings between 1986-91. Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll

Rk

Team (First Place)

Pts

1.

LSU (18)

1403

2.

Alabama (20)

1399

3.

Southern Cal (19)

1388

4.

Oklahoma

1276

5.

Oregon

1258

6.

Georgia

1061

7.

Florida State

1055

8.

Michigan

1023

9.

South Carolina

981

10.

Arkansas

948

11.

West Virginia

833

12.

Wisconsin

743

13.

Michigan State

717

14.

Clemson

598

15.

Texas

549

16.

Nebraska

501

17.

TCU

499

18.

Stanford

497

19.

Oklahoma State

476

20.

Virginia Tech

461

21.

Kansas State

398

22.

Boise State

271

23.

Florida

250

24.

Notre Dame

166

25.

Auburn

66