Clemson will begin the season ranked number one in both the AP and the Coaches Polls.
From Clemson Athletics:
“Clemson becomes the sixth program since the inception of the preseason poll in 1950 ever to open consecutive preseason polls at No. 1, joining Alabama (2016-18), USC (2004-05), Oklahoma (1985-87, 1974-75, 1956-57), Ohio State (1969-70) and Notre Dame (1953-54). Clemson’s 1,520 points and 38 first-place votes this year topped each category, as all teams — including ones who will not play this fall — were eligible for votes.”
“Prior to Clemson’s No. 1 ranking last preseason, the program’s previous preseason high had been second, the preseason rank held by both the 2016 and 2018 squads that would each go on to earn the national championship. By virtue of a second straight preseason No. 1 ranking, Clemson’s preseason perch this year marks the seventh Top 5 preseason ranking in the AP Poll in school history, including 1984 (No. 4), 1988 (4), 2016 (2), 2017 (5), 2018 (2) and 2019 (1).”
“Clemson has now been ranked in the AP Top 25 in the preseason in nine consecutive years, the longest such stretch in school history. The Tigers garnered a Top 25 preseason ranking from the AP in eight consecutive years under three different head coaches across the 1987-94 seasons.”
Preseason AP Top 25
| 1 | Clemson | 14-1 | 1,520 (38) |
| 2 | Ohio State | 13-1 | 1,504 (21) |
| 3 | Alabama | 11-2 | 1,422 (2) |
| 4 | Georgia | 12-2 | 1,270 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 12-2 | 1,269 |
| 6 | LSU | 15-0 | 1,186 (1) |
| 7 | Penn State | 11-2 | 1,147 |
| 8 | Florida | 11-2 | 1,125 |
| 9 | Oregon | 12-2 | 1,119 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | 11-2 | 995 |
| 11 | Auburn | 9-4 | 852 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 10-4 | 840 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 8-5 | 764 |
| 14 | Texas | 8-5 | 703 |
| 15 | Oklahoma State | 8-5 | 672 |
| 16 | Michigan | 9-4 | 611 |
| 17 | USC | 8-5 | 534 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 7-6 | 496 |
| 19 | Minnesota | 11-2 | 451 |
| 20 | Cincinnati | 11-3 | 234 |
| 21 | UCF | 10-3 | 229 |
| 22 | Utah | 11-3 | 211 |
| 23 | Iowa State | 7-6 | 199 |
| 24 | Iowa | 10-3 | 134 |
| 25 | Tennessee | 8-5 | 133 |
Others receiving votes:Â Memphis 86, Virginia Tech 85, Boise State 68, Arizona State 66, Miami (FL) 42, Louisville 32, Appalachian State 26, Washington 21, Kentucky 20, Indiana 19, Baylor 15, California 11, TCU 9, Virginia 7, Navy 6, Florida State 6, SMU 3, Mississippi State 3, Air Force 3, Northwestern 1, UAB 1
