Clemson ranked in Phil Steele’s Projected AP Top 25<\/p>\n
Clemson is ranked #15th in Phil Steele’s Projected AP Top 25 that was released on Tuesday.
\nThe main ranking factors include returning starters, performance of teams in bowl games, previous team finish and strength of schedule.
\n“The Tigers return an abundance of skill players including QB Deshaun WatsonDeshaun WatsonSo. Quarterback#4 6-2, 205Gainesville, GAView Full Profile, who had 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions a season ago, their top four rushers and their top three receivers,” Phil Steele said. “Clemson’s defense, which ranked No. 1 in 2014, has a few holes to fill but is still talented. The trend line is good as well: After an upset win over No. 9 LSU in 2012, Clemson went on to finish No. 11 in the final rankings, and in 2013, the Tigers beat No. 7 Ohio State in their bowl to finish No. 8. After last season’s 40-6 lambasting of Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl to boost their final ranking to No. 15, you can expect the momentum to continue in Death Valley this season.”
\nThe Tigers have won 10 or more games in four consecutive years and also finished four years in a row inside the Top 25.
\nOther ACC schools included in the Top 25 AP projections include Florida State (#8 overall) and Georgia Tech (#17 overall).<\/p>\n