Top 25 Teams and Games — No. 11 Clemson

TEAM NO. 11 — CLEMSON

The buzz: The Tigers will showcase arguably the best backfield in the country this season with senior tailback James Davis and junior C.J. Spiller, who have been tabbed as "Thunder" and "Lightning". Senior quarterback Cullen Harper also promises to have a big season in his second year as starter. Clemson returns six offensive and eight defensive starters from last year's 9-4 team which lost a 23-20, overtime thriller to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A bowl.

Difference-maker: Tailback James Davis shocked everyone when he decided in January to return for his senior season just one week after announcing he would turn pro. Davis has rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons and is currently second all-time in school history with 3,130 yards. He needs 837 yards this season to surpass Raymond Priester's school record of 3,966 yards.

The upside: Clemson's offense is loaded with talent at the skill positions. Davis and Spiller have the ability to go the distance each time they touch the ball. Additionally, receiver Aaron Kelly returns for his senior season after leading the ACC last season with 1,081 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior Tyler Grisham, who had 60 catches for 653 yards last year, also returns.

The downside: The bad news for Davis and Spiller is that Clemson's offensive line lost four starters from last year. Only junior center Thomas Austin returns. On the defensive end, the Tigers don't know what to expect at linebacker following the departure of veterans Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie.

Schedule factor: Fairly difficult. The Tigers open and close their season against the SEC. Clemson will kick off the year on Aug. 30 against Alabama in Atlanta's Georgia Dome and close the year by hosting South Carolina. The Tigers get Georgia Tech at home but must go on the road for difficult contests at Wake Forest, Boston College and Florida State.

GAME NO. 11 — LSU AT AUBURN

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.

When: Sept. 20.

Why it's sexy: This has been the key early battle in the SEC's Western Division race the past few years and it should be no less significant this time around. Adding some spice to this growing rivalry was last season's last-second victory by LSU in Baton Rouge on that questionable decision to go for the TD by Les Miles.

Preseason buzz: The quarterback position is a huge factor for both teams heading into the season. Kodi Burns looked good running Auburn's new spread attack in the bowl game and in the spring, but still hasn't locked up the starting role. LSU enters the start of two-a-days without a clear starter between Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch.