Why Clemson football endured preseason poll drop from top 25

For the first time in a long time, a Dabo Swinney-led Clemson team has missed the AP college football preseason top 25 poll. Swinney's Tigers have at least made the top 25 every year since 2012; 2026 is now the first time the team has missed since 2011. That's a staggering fall from grace, even if C

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What is the story about?

For the first time in a long time, a Dabo Swinney-led Clemson team has missed the AP college football preseason top 25 poll.

Swinney's Tigers have at least made the top 25 every year since 2012; 2026 is now the first time the team has missed since 2011. That's a staggering fall from grace, even if Clemson is technically ranked 26th in votes received.

Even so, all eyes will be on Swinney and Clemson this fall to prove the poll wrong and rejoin college football's elite. As Swinney's Tigers have struggled in the evolving landscape of college football, whether it be schematic or in attacking the transfer portal for talent, one wonders if this could be Swinney's last chance in Death Valley.

There's still plenty of time for Swinney's Tigers to rise above

expectations, but the pressure is turned up even more.