College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2019
- Key returners: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, Isaiah Simmons, Tre Lamar, K’Von Wallace, Trayvon Mullen (awaiting decision), Clelin Ferrell (awaiting decision)
- Key departures: Dexter Lawrence, Austin Bryant, Christian Wilkins, Kendall Joseph, Hunter Renfrow, Mitch Hyatt
- Coaching change: None
I was close to making Alabama the No. 1 team no matter who won the national title game because, well, the Crimson Tide just reload every season and have looked dominant in every single matchup this year. However, watching Clemson dismantle the Tide changed my opinion.
The Tigers, led by the best freshman in the country in Trevor Lawrence, smacked Alabama and stole the crown away from the Tide after missing out on the title game last year.
Dabo Swinney’s move to make Lawrence the starter over Kelly Bryant who had led the Tigers to the playoff a year ago was shocking, but it made sense. It paid off as the Tigers went 15-0 with the ACC title and blowout wins over Notre Dame and Alabama to win the title.
Clemson will likely bring in a top-five recruiting class to go along with returning another Heisman candidate in Travis Etienne. Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross are two of the most explosive young receivers in the country and that Clemson defense will be every bit as good next season despite losing some talent in the trenches.
Sick of Alabama and Clemson dominating college football? Better get used to it.