The preseason coaches poll has been released.

Clemson will start the season at No. 4 in the coaches poll, which is by far the highest preseason ranking of any ACC team.

NC State debuts at No. 13 while Pittsburgh comes in at No. 16. Miami (No. 17) and Wake Forest (No. 19) follow closely behind.

Clemson is hoping to have a bounce-back season after dropping 3 games last season. It was the Tigers’ first time to lose the Atlantic division in 2014. They return numerous key players on both sides of the ball and could have a claim to the nation’s best defense in 2022.

NC State is expected to be Clemson’s biggest challenger in the Atlantic. The Wolfpack return 4 former first-team All-ACC defenders and quarterback Devin Leary.

Pittsburgh lost a lot of talent off last season’s ACC Championship team, but the Panthers added players like quarterback Kedon Slovis and receiver Konata Mumpfield this offseason via the portal. Pittsburgh’s defense should be elite again, too.

Miami is entering its first season with coach Mario Cristobal. The Canes have struggled for much of the past 2 decades, but appear to be headed in the right direction after an offseason of quality hires. Miami also returns quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who was a candidate for preseason ACC Player of the Year.

Wake Forest returns quarterback Sam Hartman after he led the Demon Deacons to the ACC Atlantic title last season. He’s hoping to deliver another 10-win season for Wake Forest in 2022.

North Carolina, Louisville and Florida State all received votes.

Here’s the full top-25:

#1 Alabama
#2 Ohio State
#3 Georgia
#4 Clemson
#5 Notre Dame
#6 Michigan
#7 Texas A&M
#8 Utah
#9 Oklahoma
#10 Baylor
#11 Oklahoma State
#12 Oregon
#13 NC State
#14 Michigan State
#15 USC
#16 Pitt
#17 Miami
#18 Texas
#19 Wake Forest
#20 Wisconsin
#21 Kentucky
#22 Cincinnati
#23 Arkansas
#24 Ole Miss
#25 Houston

Others receiving votes:
Iowa 248; Penn State 246; Tennessee 163; Brigham Young 152; Louisiana State 143; Auburn 98; Central Florida 55; North Carolina 34; San Diego State 25; Fresno State 21; Mississippi State 19; Florida 17; Utah State 12; Air Force 12; UCLA 10; Boise State 10; Appalachian State 10; Minnesota 6; South Carolina 5; Kansas State 4; Iowa State 3; Army 3; UL Lafayette 2; Southern Methodist 2; Purdue 2; Oregon State 2; Coastal Carolina 2; Texas-San Antonio 1; Louisville 1; Florida State 1.