July 31, 2004

Clemson is ranked #16 in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll released Friday. The preseason top-25 ranking is the first for the Tigers since the 2001 preseason poll when Clemson was ranked #14. It is the third time in the past five seasons Clemson has been ranked in the preseason poll. The Tigers finished ranked #22 in the final coaches' poll in 2003.

The ACC is well represented in the poll, as five of 11 teams are ranked in the top 25. The ACC teams ranked are Miami(FL) (5), Florida State (6), Clemson (16), Virginia (19), and Maryland (20). Also receiving votes were N.C. State (30), Virginia Tech (32), and Georgia Tech (37).

The highest ranking Clemson has enjoyed in the coaches' poll under Head Coach Tommy Bowden was during the 2000 season, when the Tigers were ranked #3. Clemson began that season ranked #19 in the preseason poll.

The link for the poll is below...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm