No. 7 – Clemson Tigers
Normally, I am the first person to say that the defending champs of college football are the top team the following year until they get knocked off. But, with all the talent that has left the Palmetto State following last year’s championship, it’s not hard to see a potential drop off. On offense, the loss of Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams and more is going to be huge.
Kelly Bryant will take over under center and has some playmakers around him in Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud and others, but they can’t expected to be the same as what was lost. On defense, names like Ben Boulware won’t be on the field this season – but they will have a man by the name of Christian Wilkins at defensive end and Dexter Lawrence at tackle who should keep everyone afraid entering 2017.
Most Important Game – September 16th at Louisville: While the game in November against Florida State is being described as one of the top games in college football this season, if the Tigers show their newness early on and get knocked off by the Cardinals, some of the luster and importance will be off that game with the Seminoles almost two months later.