The preseason Amway Coaches Poll, with outlooks for the top 25:
1. Clemson (14-1)
Points: 1,589 (38 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 2.
Outlook: Clemson has made the College Football Playoff five years in a row, with four championship game appearances and two national titles. It’s hard to bet against them for another dominant season, especially with Heisman candidate Trevor Lawrence returning at quarterback and two-time ACC Player of the Year Travis Etienne at running back. At the other positions, the Tigers lost several main contributors to the NFL, but All-ACC DT Nyles Pinckney and DE Xavier Thomas return to lead the defensive line, and having the top recruiting class in the ACC three years running won’t hurt, either.