Tigers Tumble in Latest ESPN Power Rankings

With the opening week of college football action behind us, ESPN released its updated college football power rankings this week, stacking up the top 25 teams in the sport as it stands right now after Week 1.

Clemson (0-1) stayed in the power rankings despite last Saturday’s 34-3 loss to No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta.

However, the Tigers took a tumble and fell to No. 24 – down nine spots from where Clemson was at No. 15 in ESPN’s preseason CFB power rankings .

Here’s what ESPN’s Mark Schlabach had to say regarding how the Tigers looked in Week 1 against the Bulldogs:

The Tigers’ punchless offensive performance against Georgia’s formidable defense raised questions about their trajectory with quarterback Cade Klubnik running the show. Klubnik completed 18 of 29 passes for 142 yards with two sacks and one interception. Wide receiver Antonio Williams played well with six catches for 76 yards, but the Tigers didn’t get much production in the passing game from anyone else.

Tailback Phil Mafah ran for 59 yards on 16 attempts. The Tigers went 4-for-13 on third down. The good news: Clemson probably won’t face a defense as good as Georgia’s again in the regular season. The Tigers will try to get better in Saturday’s home game against Appalachian State.

As you’d expect, Georgia remained at No. 1 overall in ESPN’s power rankings after Week 1, with Ohio State, Texas, Alabama and Notre Dame rounding out the top five, in that order.

Miami (No. 9) is the highest-ranked ACC team in ESPN’s power rankings, followed by NC State (No. 22). Georgia Tech also cracked the power rankings, coming in one spot behind Clemson and appearing at No. 25.

Clemson is ranked No. 25 in the AP Top 25 Poll that was released after Week 1, while the Tigers are No. 22 in the latest Coaches Poll .

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