Clemson pegged as ACC preseason favorite by media over Florida State
The Clemson Tigers have been selected as the preseason favorites to win the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference title in a 158-ballot poll of media members.
Clemson received 81 votes in the poll, which was conducted at ACC Media Days, while Florida State placed second with 41 votes. Clemson was picked to win the conference's Atlantic Division over Florida State with 101 first place votes to 56.
Georgia Tech was the only other school to receive double-digit votes in the conference title vote, finishing third overall with 20. The Jackets were selected as favorites to defend their Coastal Division title.
Clemson sophomore quarterback DeShaun Watson was selected by the media as the 2015 ACC Preseason Player of the Year. In 2014, as a true freshman, Watson played in eight games (five starts) and threw for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 200 yards and five touchdowns.
Clemson finished last season 10-3, including a 40-6 victory over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Clemson is looking for its first ACC title since 2011.
Florida State is coming off a Rose Bowl loss to the Oregon Ducks in the College Football Playoff. The Seminoles have won the ACC each of the last three years and won the 2013 national title. Florida State quarterback Sean McGuire, who led the Seminoles to victory over Clemson last season during Jameis Winston's suspension, enters the year at the top of the Seminoles' depth chart.
The ACC Championship will be played on Dec. 5 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Full results of the preseason ACC Championship vote:
1. Clemson Tigers (84)
2. Florida State Seminoles (41)
3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (20)
4. Virginia Tech Hokies (7)
5. North Carolina Tarheels (3)
6. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (2)
7. NC State Wolfpack (1)
• BECHT: SEC preseason superlatives: Who's most improved, overrated?
- Christopher Chavez
