The Clemson Tigers are coming off their second national championship, and even though they are losing several star players like quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Mike Williams, they are still expected to compete for a College Football Playoff berth next season. Here's how they rank in the way-too-early top 25 polls published by major publications:
Chat Sports
Ranking: 9
Breakdown: "The now defending national champs are bound to take a small step back in 2017 after back-to-back national championship game appearances, simply because they lose Deshaun Watson. Head coach Dabo Swinney's squad have a tough schedule to try to break in a new quarterback, but they have the depth to be fine everywhere else. Clemson has six straight seasons with at least 10 wins, showing that they're kind of Alabama-like in their ability to plug in players and not see a big drop off in play. Expect that to continue next year."
USA Today
Ranking: 9
Breakdown: "Defending national champion Clemson is among the most intriguing teams in college football entering next season. Deshaun Watson (most likely) won’t be around, and that alone is reason to think the Tigers will begin the year pegged to finish behind Florida State. But this program recruits at an elite level, has an outstanding defensive line, should get improved play on the offensive line and has earned the benefit of the doubt. Still, there will be major weapons to replace on offense and key leaders to replace on defense. This might nonetheless be too low a ranking for Clemson."
ESPN
Ranking: 5
Breakdown: "After guiding the Tigers to back-to-back appearances in the CFP National Championship, coach Dabo Swinney faces a rebuilding job in 2017. But Clemson has recruited as well as anyone outside of maybe Alabama, and the Tigers have plenty of young players ready to step up. Sophomore QB Kelly Bryant, who attempted 18 passes the past two seasons combined, is the favorite to replace Watson, who leaves as arguably the best player in school history. The Tigers will also have to replace leading rusher Wayne Gallman and top wideouts Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, who are all expected to enter the NFL draft as juniors. The personnel losses on defense aren't as heavy -- not with Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell returning to anchor the defensive line -- but linebacker Ben Boulware and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins will be missed. The Tigers will play Florida State at home and Louisville and Virginia Tech on the road during ACC play, along with a difficult nonconference home game against Auburn."
CBS
Ranking: 13
Breakdown: "The losses are heavy, but the Tigers won't drop off much. The three best offensive players will -- or are expected to -- leave with Deshaun Watson already declaring for the NFL Draft and Wayne Gallman and Mike Williams likely to join him. The strength remains in the defensive line despite the loss of tackle Carlos Watkins."
FOX
Ranking: 3
Breakdown: "Two-time Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson heads to the next level and leaves the national champs, and sophomore Kelly Bryant will compete to replace him. RB Wayne Gallman is gone, and WR Mike Williams will almost certainly declare. But Dabo Swinney will likely have another dominant defensive line with Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell. Other notable returnees include S Van Smith and LB Kendall Joseph."
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