Clemson Makes Big Leap in Latest ESPN Power Rankings

ESPN released its updated college football power rankings this week, stacking up the top 25 teams in the sport as it stands right now following Week 2 of the season.

Clemson (1-1) made a big leap in the power rankings after Saturday’s 66-20 victory over App State at Death Valley.

The Tigers jumped to No. 19 – up five spots from where Clemson was at No. 24 in ESPN’s CFB power rankings after Week 1 and the season-opening loss to Georgia.

Here’s what ESPN had to say regarding the Tigers, who have an open date this Saturday before returning to Death Valley for their ACC opener vs. NC State on Saturday, Sept. 21 (12 p.m., ABC).

What a difference a week makes. Or, perhaps, what a difference not playing Georgia makes. All those concerns about Clemson’s offense might have been well founded, but for at least a week, there was little cause for continued concern. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for five touchdowns and ran for two more, all before halftime in a 66-20 win over Appalachian State. So, which is the real Clemson — the one that was shut down by the best team in the country or the one that dominated a good Group of 5 squad? The answer is probably somewhere in between, but a showdown with NC State in two weeks should be telling.

As you’d expect, Georgia stayed at No. 1 overall in ESPN’s power rankings after Week 2, with Texas, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee rounding out the top five, in that order.

Miami (No. 6) is the highest-ranked ACC team in ESPN’s power rankings, followed by Louisville (No. 18) and then Clemson.

Clemson moved up three spots to No. 22 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll that was released Sunday, while the Tigers slid up two spots to No. 20 in the latest Coaches Poll .