CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Five Atlantic Coast Conference teams are in the preseason AP poll, led by the Clemson Tigers, who are ranked No. 4 heading into the 2022 campaign.
Alabama enters the season as the No. 1 team for the seventh time under head coach Nick Saban. In the previous six seasons where Alabama was the preseason No. 1, they were crowned national champions just once (2017).
Ohio State, defending national champion Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame round out the top five. Since 2004, the national champion was ranked in the AP's preseason top 7 every year but two (2010 Auburn and 2013 Florida State).
Clemson was picked to win the ACC again in the preseason poll. Dabo Swinney's team was the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC, earning 38 first-place votes. The Tigers had won six straight ACC titles before missing the championship game last season.
NC State enters the season No. 13 overall. The Wolfpack has high hopes after a successful 2021 season resulted in 9 wins for Dave Doeren's team. NC State is led by quarterback Devin Leary, who was named the ACC's preseason player of the year.
Other ACC teams in the AP preseason top 25:
16. Miami-Florida
17. Pitt
22. Wake Forest
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