That’s right the Clemson Tigers are the No. 1 team in the country heading into next football season, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index that is.
What does that mean? Nothing really, it just gives us something to write and talk about for the next seven months.
Why are the Tigers ranked No. 1 in the FPI rankings heading into the 2018 football season, instead of defending national champion Alabama?
“The truth is, these teams are very even,” said ESPN College Football Analytics expert Brad Edwards on SportsCenter. “If you understand what goes into Preseason FPI, there is one difference that is in Clemson’s favor that put them number one and that is the number of returning starters.
“Clemson has five more returning starters than Alabama and that is because Clemson had several underclassmen that were good enough to maybe be early round picks in the draft, who decided to stay. Alabama guys who were in that boat decided to go out in the draft.”
The Tigers return 17 starters, who started at least four games, on offense and defense from last year’s 12-2 team that lost to Bama in the Sugar Bowl of the College Football Playoff. Those 17 players include the entire front four of the defensive line.
All-American Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins joined All-American defensive ends Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell in returning to Tigertown for one more season. The three join rising junior Dexter Lawrence at defensive tackle to form the best defensive front in college football.
The Clemson defense also gets back linebackers Kendall Joseph and Tre Lamar as well as cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen and Mark Fields and safeties Tanner Muse and K’Von Wallace in the secondary.
Clemson’s defense finished second to Alabama in scoring defense last year and ranked fourth overall in total defense. It also led the nation in sacks.
The Tigers led the ACC in scoring, total, rushing and passing defense for the first time in the program’s history.
On offense, Clemson returns All-American left tackle Mitch Hyatt, who could have gone pro a year early, on the offensive line, as well as center Justin Falcinelli and Tremayne Anchrum and Sean Pollard, who split the starts at right tackle.
Quarterback Kelly Bryant will back for his senior season as will leading pass catcher Hunter Renfrow. The Tigers also return the teams two leading rushers in Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne. Starting tight end Milan Richard is back as well.
Clemson even returns two kickers with starting experience in Greg Huegel and Alex Spence as well as punter Will Spiers.
“Because of that, Clemson has more starters and that is why they are number one,” Edwards said. “Alabama is not far behind at number two.”
This is the fifth year in a row Alabama will enter a season not No. 1 in the preseason FPI rankings. Edwards said the reason is because Alabama loses about half its starters year after year, but defies the odds and continues to be a national title contender, if not the national champion.
Maybe this year, Clemson will keep that from happening. But, who really knows.