ACC 2016 football power rankings: Preseason edition

ACC Power Rankings 2016: Preseason edition

Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries the ball while being defended by Florida State Seminoles linebacker Terrance Smith (24) during the first half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Call it a cop out, call it just picking the easiest choice out there. It doesn’t matter, because right now there is very little question that Clemson is the best team in the league and maybe the entire FBS. Deshaun Watson is, far and away, the best player in college football at this moment and the Tigers return play makers like running back Wayne Gallman to help out.

The defense does lose some of their best players, including lineman Shaq Lawson. That being said, a solid recruiting class ensures that Dabo Swinney’s team won’t miss a beat and will again be the team to beat in the conference.

If Clemson is going to win the ACC for a second straight season and make it back to the College Football Playoff, it is going to be tougher thanks to a schedule that starts on the road at SEC foe Auburn and continues with road games in the ACC against Georgia Tech (and that evil option offense) and maybe the biggest game in conference history when they travel to Florida State.

Needless to say, the Tigers are going to have their work cut out to stay on top of these rankings for the entire year.

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