sports and game - ESPN's renowned College GameDay host Rece Davis has sent shockwaves through the college football community with his latest AP Poll ballot, presenting a dramatic departure from conventional wisdom in h...
is preseason rankings. As one of only four AP Poll voters to rank Clemson at #1, Davis's selections reflect his unique perspective on the evolving landscape of college football.
Davis's top 10 represents a significant shake-up from most preseason predictions, particularly with his placement of two-time defending national champion Georgia at #8. His complete top 10 consists of:
1. Clemson Tigers
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
3. Texas Longhorns
4. LSU Tigers
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
8. Georgia Bulldogs
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Arizona State Sun Devils
The ranking of Clemson at #1 suggests Davis sees potential for a resurgence from Dabo Swinney's program, which has missed the College Football Playoff for two consecutive seasons. The Tigers' quarterback situation and defensive prowess likely factored into this decision.
Perhaps most notably, Davis's relatively low ranking of Georgia at #8 stems from significant personnel losses, including 13 players selected in the 2025 NFL draft and additional transfers through the portal. The quarterback situation, with Gunner Stockton stepping into a major role, appears to be a key factor in Davis's conservative ranking of the Bulldogs.
The rankings will face immediate testing in Week 1, with several high-profile matchups including Texas at Ohio State and LSU at Clemson. These early-season contests will provide immediate validation or contradiction to Davis's predictions.
Davis's top 10 represents a significant shake-up from most preseason predictions, particularly with his placement of two-time defending national champion Georgia at #8. His complete top 10 consists of:
1. Clemson Tigers
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
3. Texas Longhorns
4. LSU Tigers
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
8. Georgia Bulldogs
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Arizona State Sun Devils
The ranking of Clemson at #1 suggests Davis sees potential for a resurgence from Dabo Swinney's program, which has missed the College Football Playoff for two consecutive seasons. The Tigers' quarterback situation and defensive prowess likely factored into this decision.
Perhaps most notably, Davis's relatively low ranking of Georgia at #8 stems from significant personnel losses, including 13 players selected in the 2025 NFL draft and additional transfers through the portal. The quarterback situation, with Gunner Stockton stepping into a major role, appears to be a key factor in Davis's conservative ranking of the Bulldogs.
The rankings will face immediate testing in Week 1, with several high-profile matchups including Texas at Ohio State and LSU at Clemson. These early-season contests will provide immediate validation or contradiction to Davis's predictions.