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College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 2

By Brad Weiss

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 09: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Tobenna Okeke #56 of the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 09: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Tobenna Okeke #56 of the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2, wide receiver Deon Cain #8, and tight end D.J. Greenlee #87 of the Clemson Tigers celebrate following Bryant’s touchdown to start the second half of play during the Tigers’ game football game against the Auburn Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Kelly Bryant #2, wide receiver Deon Cain #8, and tight end D.J. Greenlee #87 of the Clemson Tigers celebrate following Bryant’s touchdown to start the second half of play during the Tigers’ game football game against the Auburn Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Clemson Tigers ACC

Last week: W 14-6 vs. Auburn
Last rank: N/R

The Clemson Tigers have gone to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in each of the last two seasons, and their defense might get them there again. The Tigers lost some huge stars on the offensive side of the ball in quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Wayne Gallman, and wide receiver Mike Williams, but the defense has stepped up in their absence. Two games into the 2017 season, and this defense is proving to be one of the best in the country.

The Tigers play inside Memorial Stadium, which is affectionately refereed to as Death Valley. On Saturday, that nickname rang true for Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who was sacked 11 times by the Tigers defense. While Clemson’s offense struggled to get any consistency throughout, the defense showed why this program does not rebuild, but reloads.

With Watson gone to the NFL, head coach Dabo Swinney turned to Kelly Bryant to take over the reins this Summer. While the offense was not in sync the entire day, Bryant made enough plays for the Tigers to come away with the victory. The junior rushed for two touchdowns in the game, while doing a nice job protecting the ball.

Heading into this season, we knew the Tigers would be tough up front, as guys like Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins are two of the best defensive linemen in the country. This matchup was decided by only six points last season, and Clemson rode that win all the way to the College Football Playoff. They are once again the class of the ACC, especially with Deondre Francois going down for Florida State, and an ACC title usually means a trip to the College Football Playoff.

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