After returning to the College Football Playoff last year, Clemson is projected by ESPN to take another step forward, opening at No. 1 in the network’s preseason ACC power rankings. Analysts see Dabo Swinney’s squad as the league’s top national title threat and the only ACC team currently slotted in the “should be in” playoff category.

Allar was a 5-star recruit and the No. 3 overall player in 247Sports' ranking for the 2022 class. He's by far the best QB of the Franklin era. The Ohio native made positive strides under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. His completion percentage rose from 59.9 to 66.5, and he averaged 8.4 yards per attempt compared to 6.8 in 2024.

The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, and with less than three weeks until kickoff, anticipation is rising. Monday's release of the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll provides the first official glimpse at how the projected top programs stack up entering another pivotal campaign.