Clemson rating slips in ESPN preseason projection

---

There's a new top-5 in an ESPN preseason college football projection -- and it does not include Clemson here three-plus months to kickoff.

The Tigers aren't far off, however, ranked No. 6 and deemed a pick'em on a neutral field with the new No. 5 Oklahoma in the updated SP+ projections ($).

The Tigers originally had a higher rating (21) and a No. 5 placement above Texas A&M (20.1) and Oklahoma (19.2), but the Sooners moved up in the latest look (20.3).

Also different is the top-3 with Ohio State (29.9) still on top but Alabama (28.6) moving past Georgia (27.3). Michigan still rounds out the top-4 (20.6).

Clemson ranked No. 2 in the final preseason SP+ ratings for the 2021 season (28.6), trailing only Alabama (31.7). Georgia was fifth (25.4).

The 2022 Tigers are picked to have the No. 2 defense overall, which is only topped slightly by Wisconsin, and the Clemson offense is rated No. 39.

Six of the projected top-10 overall have top-10 offenses (Ohio State, 1; Alabama, 2; Georgia, 3; Michigan, 6; Oklahoma, 5; No. 9 Tennessee, 4), and the same number have top-10 defenses (Alabama, 3; Georgia, 7; Clemson, 2; No. 7 Notre Dame, 8; No. 8 Texas A&M, 6; No. 10 Wisconsin, 1).

Outside of Notre Dame, the lone other projected top-25 opponent on Clemson's schedule is NC State at No. 18.

Send Feedback to TigerNet Staff: Email | Comment

Trending on TigerNet

Clemson position group ranked No. 1 in the nation

Clemson softball ranking streak snapped in final Coaches Poll

Clemson pitcher honored as National Freshman Pitcher of the Year

Bakich speaks out for first time on ejections in wild season finale