Bryan Bresee
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel (6) avoids a tackle by Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Clemson unranked and seeking answers back to the top

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 05, 2021 01:02 PM EDT

Boston College running back Pat Garwo III (24) is lifted by a teammate after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
No. 25 Clemson looking for answers against Boston College

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 30, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

Clemson's D.J. Uiagalelei (5) stiff arms North Carolina State's Jakeen Harris (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Troubled Tigers: Clemson sliding from ACC, national picture

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 27, 2021 02:10 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Savion Jackson (90) tackles Clemson's D.J. Uiagalelei (5) as the left leg of Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) gets caught with North Carolina State's Tanner Ingle (10) also defending during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Preseason perception v small sample

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 27, 2021 03:30 AM EDT

Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates (13) scrambles away from Clemson defenders Bryan Bresee (11) and Justin Foster (35) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Clemson loses DT Bresee for season, RB Shipley for month

Sep. 26, 2021 06:45 PM EDT

North Carolina State fans run on to the field after the Wolfpack defeated Clemson 27-21 in double overtime at an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
NC State holds on in double OT, stuns No. 9 Clemson 27-21

By Aaron Beard Sep. 25, 2021 07:42 PM EDT

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) throws from the pocket as offensive linemen Matt Bockhorst (65) and Marcus Tate (74) block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia Tech at Clemson 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, center, joins his team in singing the Clemson alma mater after an NCAA college football game against South Carolina State on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Edward M. Pio Roda)
No. 6 Clemson leaning on defense early in the season

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 13, 2021 04:05 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Olave was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team offense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
No. 3 Clemson, No. 5 Georgia start with possible CFP preview

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2021 02:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 17, 2021, file photo, Georgia quarterback JT Daniels (18) throws a pass during their spring NCAA college football spring game in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Pick Six: Who wins college football's biggest prizes in '21?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2021 02:35 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts a throw to Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Stingley was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
AP 2021 Preseason 2021 All-America Team

By The Associated Press Aug. 23, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrate after a missed Notre Dame field goal attempt in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Iowa State, Notre Dame highlight AP preseason All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 23, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

AP Top 25: Quick look at rankings from Alabama to Arizona St

By The Associated Press Aug. 16, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
AP preseason Top 25 capsules: —- No. 1 ALABAMA Coach: Nick Saban, 15th season. ...

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell answers a question during the NCAA college football Atlantic Coast Conference media days in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
UNC's Howell, Clemson headline preseason all-ACC team

Jul. 27, 2021 10:08 AM EDT

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Clemson warms up before the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ohio State at Clemson 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 06:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. Lawrence was voted The Associated Press offensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of a league-best 10 Clemson selections to the AP all-ACC team. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, File)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Notre Dame headline AP all-ACC honors

By Aaron Beard Dec. 21, 2020 12:31 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)c
Healthy, deeper No. 4 Clemson ready for championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2020 05:13 PM EST

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) walks on the field before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 in Clemson, S.C. ( Josh Morgan/Pool Photo via AP)
Boston College at Clemson 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EDT