Football Back in AP Top 25

Nov. 20, 2005

By virtue of its second consecutive victory over a top 20 team, Clemson has moved back into the Associated Press top 25 this week. The Tigers defeated then #17 Florida State on Nov. 12 by a 35-14 score, then defeated #19 South Carolina on Saturday evening by a 13-9 score.

Clemson is ranked 25th in the latest poll, Clemson’s first appearance in the top 25 since the September 11, 2005 poll when the Tigers were 20th after opening wins against Texas A&M and Maryland. This is actually the third week Clemson has been ranked in the AP top 25 this year. Clemson was 25th in AP after the season opening victory over 17th ranked Texas A&M.

Clemson and Michigan are the only four-loss teams in the AP top 25 this week. Clemson has finished the regular season with a 7-4 record, as have the Wolverines. All four of Clemson’s losses this year have been by six points or less, including a triple overtime loss to current 10th ranked Miami (FL) and an overtime loss to current #21 Boston College. Clemson’s four losses are by a combined 14 points. Tommy Bowden’s team has won five of its last six games.

Clemson is one of nine teams in the nation who have not lost at least one game by seven points or more this year. The others are Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas, Michigan, Miami (FL), LSU and Georgia.

When Clemson defeated the 19th ranked Gamecocks on Saturday it gave Clemson consecutive wins over top 20 teams for just the third time in school history. The Tigers also did it in 1982 and 1983 when they defeated top 20 teams from North Carolina and Maryland each year.

Clemson now has three wins over top 20 AP teams this year, the first time Clemson has done that since 1989 and just the third time in school history Clemson has beaten three top 20 teams. The 1981 National Championship team had three wins over top 10 Associated Press teams.

The win over South Carolina gave Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst seven wins over top 25 teams in his career, tying him with Rodney Williams for the Clemson record for a starting quarterback.