CLEMSON, SC - The USA Today Coaches' Poll was released on Thursday, and it's no surprise that the Tigers begin their quest for a repeat national title as the No.1 team. This marks the first time the Tigers have started the season ranked No.1 in spite of winning three national titles. I said they should have been No.1 preseason in 2016, but Alabama was instead, and the Tigers went on to win the national title that year. Remarkably, Dabo and the Tigers have finished the last 8 seasons ranked higher than their preseason ranking, including twice when ranked No.2 preseason. It will be impossible to do that this season, so their all-time national record will end unless they add an asterisk to it: "Exceeded preseason ranking every year possible for 9 straight years," for example. The Preseason AP Poll will be released on August 19, and the Tigers figure to be ranked No.1 for the first time in that one as well.
YEAR | PRESEASON RANK | POSTSEASON RANK |
2011 | NR | 22 |
2012 | 14 | 9 |
2013 | 8 | 7 |
2014 | 16 | 15 |
2015 | 12 | 2 |
2016 | 2 | 1 |
2017 | 5 | 4 |
2018 | 2 | 1 |
2019 | 1 | TBD |
The Tigers also had their big weigh-in on Thursday and begin August camp on Friday. Jackson Carman was once again tipped the scale more than any of his teammates at 335, but he is much leaner and stronger than he was when he reported as a freshman. Sophomore RB Lyn-J Dixon is a good-looking 198 after a year in the weight room, and freshman WR's Frank Ladson and Joe Ngata posted impressive weights for freshmen at 198 and 218, respectively. Trevor Lawrence weighed in at 220 pounds, and Xavier Thomas is 268.
I'll have our 4:30 interview with Dabo posted for you at about 5:00 and interviews with coaches and players after practice at about 9:00. I'll also have practice photos for you, so stay tuned!
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