Since they lost to LSU in the 2019-20 National Championship game, the Clemson Tigers have been trying to claw their way back to the title game.
In fact, both times they reached the College Football Playoff since then have resulted in losses to Ohio State (2020-21) and Texas (2024-25), something the two-time champions under head coach Dabo Swinney are not accustomed to.
The Tigers were ranked No. 6 in Monday’s Coaches Poll, putting them behind Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia and Notre Dame. ESPN college football insider Heather Dinich was on ESPN’s “Get Up” Tuesday morning and said she believes Clemson is underrated entering the 2025 season.
“Clemson is underrated. Why are we not talking more about the Clemson Tigers and Dabo Swinney? This is the year they have all the pieces in place to return to national relevance in the College Football Playoff and make a deep run,” Dinich said. “You look at Cade Klubnik, their quarterback, he is a projected No. 1 pick in Jordan Reid’s latest 2026 mock draft. And he’s got one of the best defensive lines in the country, multiple receivers to throw it to. This is a team that should be getting more credit this preseason.”
