Clemson uses open week to rise in AP poll

CLEMSON — Clemson’s only open date of the season proved beneficial in the national polls.

While the Tigers sat and watched Saturday afternoon, their national stock rose.

Clemson climbed two spots – from No.16 to No.14 – in the new Associated Press top 25 poll, and stayed steady at No.13 in the ESPN/USA Today top 25 coaches’ poll.

The Tigers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) return to action Saturday hosting Virginia Tech, which snapped a two-game losing skid with a 41-20 victory over Duke.

Last week, Clemson beat Georgia Tech 47-31, but dropped a spot in the AP poll, from No.15 to No.16. The Tigers were jumped by Oklahoma, who vaulted four spots after beating Texas Tech.

This week, No.15 Texas dropped out of the poll entirely after taking a 63-21 Red River Rivalry whipping at the Sooners’ hands.

Only one of Clemson’s remaining opponents is in this week’s AP top 25. South Carolina slipped from No.3 to No.9 after suffering its first loss of the season at LSU. Florida State, which beat the Tigers 49-37 in Tallahassee, is No.12 in the AP poll.