When it was recently announced that Clemson would return defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, in addition to fellow D-Linemen Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell, many automatically assumed we are headed toward Alabama vs. Clemson Round IV in 2018.

ESPN college football writer Mark Schlabach sure seems to think that’s a reality as he has the two teams ranked as the top two schools in his “Way-Too-Early Top 25” list over at ESPN.com. However, following the somewhat surprising return announcements of the Clemson defensive linemen, combined with the early departures to the NFL that Alabama currently faces, Schlabach knocked the Tide down a peg and elevated the Tigers to his new No. 1 for 2018.

If the two schools do meet for a fourth consecutive season, which team comes away with the W?

Other SEC programs ranked in the second edition of the “Way-Too-Early” poll include Georgia at No. 5, Auburn at No. 13 (Previously No. 12), Mississippi State at No. 19, LSU at No. 23 and South Carolina at No. 25.

All the rankings of SEC teams in the poll remain unchanged aside from Alabama and Auburn.

The full early 2018 poll can be viewed here at ESPN.com.