Clemson 14th in Preseason USA Today Poll - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Clemson is ranked 14^th 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 22^nd 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