After returning to the College Football Playoff last year, Clemson is projected by ESPN to take another step forward, opening at No. 1 in the network’s preseason ACC power rankings. Analysts see Dabo Swinney’s squad as the league’s top national title threat and the only ACC team currently slotted in the “should be in” playoff category.

Clemson football leads the way for ACC representation in the first US LBM Coaches Poll release of the 2025 season. Here's a full look at the rankings:

The Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason Coaches Poll. There's a good chance they are in the same positions in the preseason AP Top 25 as well. A year ago,