Clemson tabbed No. 1 in "way-to-early" 2020 poll
Spring football is right around the bend, but the kickoff of the conversations about how things will stack up in 2020 has already started. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach put together his “way-to-early” top 25 and the Clemson Tigers are at the top of the list.
Here’s a quick look at what Schlabach had to say about Clemson and several other notable teams. According to the article, Schlabach correctly predicted two of the top four teams and six of the top 10 teams when he put together the same list one year ago.
No. 1 Clemson
2019 record: 14-1, 8-0 ACC
Returning starters: seven offense, seven defense, two special teams
Key losses: WR Tee Higgins, G John Simpson, C Sean Pollard, G Gage Cervenka, OT Tremayne Anchrum, LB Chad Smith, S K'Von Wallace, S Tanner Muse
Outlook: Even after it fell to LSU, its first defeat in the past 30 games, Clemson is the team to beat in 2020. The Tigers bring back Lawrence for a third season, along with receiver Justyn Ross and potentially Amari Rodgers. A handful of juniors could follow Higgins and leave early, including linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who is also projected to be a first-round pick. Tailback Travis Etienne, Rodgers and cornerback A.J. Terrell also are considered potential early departures. Clemson will have to replace four starting offensive linemen and both its starting safeties. Despite the anticipated losses, Clemson is still far more talented than any other team in the ACC, especially with a potential No. 1 recruiting class coming. A Nov. 7 trip to Notre Dame is the most difficult game on the Tigers' schedule.
2. Ohio State
2019 record: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten
Returning starters: six offense, five defense, two special teams
Key losses: DE Chase Young, CB Jeff Okudah, RB J.K. Dobbins, LB Malik Harrison, G Jonah Jackson, FS Jordan Fuller
Outlook: Quarterback Justin Fields, a Georgia transfer, was very good in his first season as a starter. He might have to be even better in Year 2, without Dobbins and the bulk of a much-improved defense. In coach Ryan Day's first campaign, the Buckeyes went unbeaten during the regular season and came up just short in a 29-23 loss against Clemson in a CFP semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes should again be potent on offense, even without Dobbins, a 2,000-yard rusher in 2019. Ohio State will have to rebuild its defense, however, with Young and Okudah leaving for the NFL draft. There will be changes on Day's coaching staff as well after Boston College hired co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach and co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Yurcich left to become Texas' offensive coordinator. The Buckeyes will play a challenging nonconference game at Oregon on Sept. 12.
3. Alabama
2019 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Returning starters: seven offense, five defense, two special teams
Key losses: QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Henry Ruggs III, S Xavier McKinney, LB Terrell Lewis, LB Anfernee Jennings, SS Jared Mayden, CB Trevon Diggs, DE Raekwon Davis
Outlook: The Crimson Tide's 2019 season was derailed by injuries before the games even started, and things got worse when star quarterback Tagovailoa suffered a hip injury late. The Tide still won at least 11 games for the ninth straight season and beat Michigan 35-16 in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. Tagovailoa was one of six juniors to leave for the NFL draft. The good news is rising junior Mac Jones had extensive playing time in Tagovailoa's absence, throwing for 1,503 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He'll be the favorite to start in 2020, if he can hold off Tagovailoa's younger brother, Taulia, and incoming freshman Bryce Young, the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, according to ESPN Recruiting. There are also extensive holes to fill on defense, but linebackers Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon are coming back after missing 2019 with torn ACLs. Defensive lineman LaBryan Ray is also returning from a foot injury.
10. Notre Dame
2019 record: 11-2
Returning starters: seven offense, five defense, two special teams
Key losses: WR Chase Claypool, TE Cole Kmet, RB Tony Jones Jr., WR Chris Finke, LB Asmar Bilal, S Alohi Gilman, S Jalen Elliott, DL Khalid Kareem, CB Troy Pride Jr.
Outlook: After suffering early losses at Georgia and Michigan, the Irish were never serious contenders for a CFP spot this past season. They still won 11 games and blasted Iowa State 33-9 in the Camping World Bowl. With quarterback Ian Book and all five starting offensive linemen returning, the Irish have a good nucleus coming back on offense. But they must replace leading receivers Claypool and Finke, leading rusher Jones and Kmet, who was a matchup nightmare. Northwestern graduate transfer Bennett Skowronek and incoming four-star receiver Jordan Johnson might be able to help right away. Brian Kelly is also looking for a new offensive coordinator after Chip Long was pushed out. It might be former quarterback Tom Rees, who called plays in the bowl game. The Irish will also have to replace all four starters in the secondary after Gilman decided to bypass his fourth season. Notre Dame plays Wisconsin at Lambeau Field and hosts Clemson, but it might be favored in its 10 other regular-season games.
22. North Carolina
2019 record: 7-6, 4-4 ACC
Returning starters: 10 offense, seven defense, two special teams
Key losses: OT Charlie Heck, NT Aaron Crawford, DT Jason Strowbridge, LB Dominique Ross, S Myles Dorn
Outlook: So much for 67-year-old Mack Brown being too old and washed up. After a six-year hiatus from the sideline, Brown returned to North Carolina -- 22 years after he left for Texas -- and guided the Tar Heels to a winning record and bowl victory in his first season back. The first campaign might have been a lot better, as UNC lost each of its six games by seven points or fewer, including a 21-20 loss to then-No. 1 Clemson. Even more impressive: North Carolina had 11 freshmen or sophomores start in the 55-13 decision over Temple in the Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman. With what the Tar Heels have coming back, they might be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal Division in 2020. Quarterback Sam Howell was named ACC Rookie of the Year this past season, throwing for 3,641 yards, 38 touchdowns (the most by a true freshman in FBS history) and seven interceptions. The Tar Heels open next season against Auburn in Atlanta and also play at UCF.
Check out the full article from ESPN.com here.