Clemson’s football team is ranked No. 3 according to the SP+ Preseason rankings released by ESPN’s Bill Connelly on Thursday.
According to Connelly, Alabama is ranked No. 1 based on returning protection, recent recruiting and recent history. Ohio State is ranked No. 2 on his list followed by the Tigers, Georgia at No. 4 and Penn State at No. 5.
Defending national champion LSU, who beat Clemson in the national championship game last month, is ranked No. 6. Florida, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Texas A&M round out the top 10.
Notre Dame, who Clemson will play on Nov.