Clemson strengthens No. 1 bid in Coaches Poll

Brandon Rink by Staff Writer -

The countdown on to the final Playoff rankings, the Coaches Poll echoed the AP Top 25 with Clemson No. 1 and Alabama worth of a Sugar Bowl bid.

The new top-four is Clemson (49 first-place votes), Oklahoma (10), Georgia (2) and Alabama.

Undefeated American Athletic Conference champion Central Florida (12-0) cracked the top-10, at No. 10, ahead of No. 11 Miami. Auburn dropped to No. 8 after its 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC title game.

Virginia Tech rounds out the ACC reps at No. 22.

USA TODAY COACHES POLL - 12/3

RANK TEAM RECORD POINTS

1 Clemson 12-1 1510 (49 first-place votes)

2 Oklahoma 12-1 1462 (10)

3 Georgia 12-1 1416 (2)

4 Alabama 11-1 1312

5 Ohio State 11-2 1298

6 Wisconsin 12-1 1162

7 Southern California 11-2 1140

8 Auburn 10-3 1085

9 Penn State 10-2 1006

10 Central Florida 12-0 986

11 Miami 10-2 934

12 Washington 10-2 855

13 Texas Christian 10-3 807

14 Louisiana State 9-3 638

15 Notre Dame 9-3 628

16 Stanford 9-4 607

17 Oklahoma State 9-3 522

18 Memphis 10-2 485

19 Michigan State 9-3 474

20 Northwestern 9-3 370

21 Washington State 9-3 310

22 Virginia Tech 9-3 302

23 Mississippi State 8-4 134

24 South Florida 9-2 126

25 Boise State 10-3 72

Schools Dropped Out

No. 25 San Diego State.

Others Receiving Votes

North Carolina State 54; San Diego State 50; Florida Atlantic 24; Toledo 21; Troy 11; Michigan 11; Fresno State 5; Louisville 4; South Carolina 4.