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Hours after the release of the preseason AP Top 25 poll Monday, Fox Sports unveiled its “Ultimate 134” rankings of every FBS team ahead of the 2024 college football season.
Fox Sports’ rankings differ from the AP’s because they’re compiled by only one individual analyst instead of the cable of sportswriters who make up the AP poll. To that end, Fox analyst RJ Young sees a much bigger discrepancy between the ACC’s two premier programs, Clemson and Florida State, entering 2024.
The Seminoles are No. 5 in Young’s rankings, as opposed to No. 10 in both the preseason AP and US LBM Coaches Polls. Clemson is further back in Young’s rankings at No. 19, five spots below whey landed in the AP and coaches polls.
As part of his rankings criteria, Young uses strength of schedule, coaching staff continuity, returning starters, class of 2024 recruiting, “star” players, and results/success in the transfer portal.
Young praises Clemson for its continuity and stability under Dabo Swinney, now entering his 17th season as Tigers coach, but it’s the Tigers’ schedule that worries him about the 2024 team.
Per Young:
“Dabo Swinney has made the College Football Playoff six out of the last nine years. He has had four national title appearances during that span, and has won two of them. With the playoff expanding and no Nick Saban to worry about, Swinney and Clemson have a program that might take full advantage of its continuity.
“Getting past Florida State, Georgia and a Virginia Tech team that might turn heads this season, are the obvious obstacles for the Tigers. But they’ll be the first to tell you FSU was lucky to escape Death Valley with a victory last year, and no one has the goods on DJ Uiagalelei quite like Swinney. The Tigers’ linebacking corps might be the best in the country with Barrett Carter and five-star…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/where-clemson-florida-state-place-153238501.html
Author : Clemson Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-13 15:32:38
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