Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 5
Clemson Lands at No. 23 in Coaches Poll as LSU-Ranked-Win Theory Swirls
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 5

Clemson Lands at No. 23 in Coaches Poll as LSU-Ranked-Win Theory Swirls

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 5

Summary

  • No. 23 Clemson opened the preseason coaches poll despite a 7-6 finish last year, fueling debate over whether the Tigers belong in the Top 25 at all.
  • Nine NFL draft departures and an unsettled quarterback battle between Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina drove skepticism, with analyst Josh Pate saying Clemson should not be in the top 30.
  • LSU's Week 1 matchup with Clemson sparked a conspiracy theory that SEC coaches boosted the Tigers so LSU could later claim a ranked win in the CFP race.
  • Dabo Swinney's team still has backers: ESPN's Heather Dinich sees a path to the ACC title game and CFP, citing a favorable conference schedule.

Insights

Will Ohio State's star-studded roster shatter the preseason No. 1 curse, or is an early upset inevitable?
How will Lane Kiffin handle the intense pressure of his highly anticipated LSU coaching debut against Clemson?
Can Bill Belichick's massive transfer portal haul save UNC from another disastrous season starting in Week 0?