Rece Davis tabs Clemson as the best team in the ACC

With it looking like a two-team race at the top of the ACC, Rece Davis has picked his preference between the pair.

When examining the Atlantic Coast Conference on the ‘College GameDay Podcast’ on Wednesday, Davis thought that Clemson was still better than Miami to this point. He thinks the Tigers as underrated within the polls right now with him having them around the Top-10 rather than their current spot at No. 15 in the AP Poll.

“Miami – undefeated, seemingly, in the early going after the escape from Virginia Tech, the team to beat in the ACC. Although I still would argue that it’s Clemson,” said Davis. “No disrespect intended to Miami. Not just trying to stick with my preseason pick.”

“I think Clemson, even by the pollsters right now, is a little bit undervalued,” Davis said. “I’d have to look and make sure. I think I have them in my Top-10. If I don’t, they’re nine, ten, eleven – somewhere in there in that group of teams.”

Clemson was cast aside a bit after their 31-point loss to Georgia in their opener. However, they’ve since won their next three games, including their first two in league play, by an average margin of victory of 32 points. That comes mostly from an offense that has posted 55 points per game after scoring just a field goal in the first game in Atlanta.

With that, Davis and Pete Thamel credited Clemson for that progression over their first month of the season. That was especially so from them about their offensive side of the ball.

“You know, look, they lost to Georgia,” said Davis. “I don’t know that they had totally turned their offense loose yet. They didn’t use the freshman receivers as much as they are now.”

“I do give Clemson a lot of credit. I think they’ve sort of stormed back and showed who they are,” Thamel added. “It feels like they’ve unlocked that offense a little bit.”

Miami remains in the Top-10 at No. 8 and is still the favorite for the ACC Championship. Still, coming into October, Davis has Clemson just ahead of the Hurricanes.

“I do view Clemson, in my judgement, as the best team in the ACC overall but Miami is really good,” said Davis.