Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – APRIL 14: Kelly Bryant(2) looks to throw a pass during action in the Clemson Spring Football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Clemson, SC..(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – APRIL 14: Kelly Bryant(2) looks to throw a pass during action in the Clemson Spring Football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Clemson, SC..(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

If it wasn’t for Alabama being a machine in the college football ranks, Clemson would be No. 1 in our Top 25. The Tigers return plenty of talent to both sides of the ball from a team that went 12-2 in 2017 with a national semifinal loss to the Crimson Tide.

It was the third consecutive season the Tide and Tigers met in the College Football Playoff and the first time it wasn’t for the national title. Alabama got the best of Clemson, 24-6.

Dabo Swinney is hoping for an uptick in production from Kelly Bryant who has been trying to do his best Deshaun Watson impression. He had over 2,800 yards but just 13 touchdown passes in 2017. He returns Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow and a few other intriguing prospects at receiver. Travis Etienne returns at running back and could be a serious Heisman threat. His backup, Tavien Feaster, isn’t too shabby, either.

That defense, though. Clemson’s front-seven may be the best in college football and the defensive line is surely No. 1 in the land. It returns Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant — also known as every single starter up front.

Kendall Joseph is back at linebacker after recording nearly 100 tackles last season and the secondary will once again be No. 1 in the ACC, presumably.