Clemson No. 2 in preseason AP Poll

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CLEMSON -- Clemson is ranked second in the preseason Associated Press poll released on Sunday. This is the highest preseason ranking in Clemson history in either of the major polls. Clemson was fourth in the preseason poll by the Coaches and the Associated Press in 1988, and fourth by Associated Press in 1984.

This also marks the fifth straight year Clemson has been ranked in the preseason of both polls. Clemson was 14th in the preseason of both polls in 2012, eighth in 2013, 16th in 2014 and 12th in the preseason last year.

Clemson, Alabama, Oregon and Florida State are the only schools in the country to finish in the top 25 of the final AP poll each of the last five years. Dabo Swinney’s program is the only school in the nation to finish the same or better in the final poll than its preseason ranking each of the last five years.

The appearance in the preseason AP poll means Clemson has appeared in 76 of the last 83 AP polls (all polls since beginning of 2011 season), tied for fifth in the nation with Oregon.

Clemson received 16 first-place votes, the most first-place votes Clemson has received in the preseason. The previous high was 11 in the 1984 preseason poll. It is the first time since 1991 that Clemson has received any first place votes in the preseason poll. Clemson had one that season.

Rounding out the top 10 in the poll are:

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. Oklahoma

4. Florida State

5. LSU

6. Ohio State

7. Michigan

8. Stanford

9. Tennessee

10. Notre Dame

**** Complete AP POLL

Clemson, just over a touchdown-favorite, begins its season at Auburn on September 3 in a 9 p.m., ESPN-televised matchup.

Earlier this month Clemson debuted at No. 2 in the Amway Coaches Poll. The Tigers received seven first-place votes in the Coaches Poll.

Clemson closed its 2015 season at 14-1, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Poll behind national champion Alabama.