CLEMSON — The 2025 season will likely be Clemson football‘s finest probability to win a nationwide championship in years.
Coach Dabo Swinney‘s roster consists of expertise and expertise as each end-of-year starter with eligibility remaining in 2024 returned this season led by quarterback Cade Klubnik. He led Clemson to its eighth ACC championship in 10 years final season and again to the School Soccer Playoff after a three-year drought.
Clemson has been a preseason darling in 2025, ranking in the top 10 in both major polls and having quite a few gamers incomes accolades. The Tigers’ first check to reside as much as these expectations will likely be in opposition to No. 9 LSU on Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Memorial Stadium. They produce other difficult video games in opposition to ACC opponents and in-state rival South Carolina.
Here is a prediction for Clemson’s 2025 schedule, game-by-game:
In regards to the recreation: This will likely be one of the crucial anticipated house video games for Clemson in years as each groups have Heisman candidate quarterbacks and nationwide championship aspirations. LSU hasn’t received a season-opening recreation since 2019, and that development will proceed as Clemson wins in a prime-time thriller.
Prediction: Clemson 31, LSU 27
In regards to the recreation: Clemson received the nationwide championship in 2016, however Troy gave the Tigers a scare in Week 2, dropping 30-24. Historical past will not repeat itself this time.
Prediction: Clemson 52, Troy 13
In regards to the recreation: This will likely be Clemson’s first check in opposition to a dual-threat quarterback, and the Tigers will face bother guarding Georgia Tech’s Haynes King. The Yellow Jackets even have designated this recreation as a whiteout for the primary time since 2021, and they’re going to reward their followers with a ranked upset win.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21
In regards to the recreation: Syracuse’s Fran Brown helped Clemson make the ACC championship recreation final 12 months with an upset win in opposition to Miami in Week 14. The Tigers will return the favor with a blowout win.
Prediction: Clemson 42, Syracuse 10
In regards to the recreation: This would be the first on-field assembly between Swinney, who received two nationwide championships, and UNC coach Invoice Belichick, a future NFL Corridor of Famer with six Tremendous Bowl wins. Clemson’s expertise will overwhelm the Tar Heels on this extremely anticipated recreation.
Prediction: Clemson 31, UNC 17
In regards to the recreation: Clemson’s “New England Patriots tour” will proceed because the Tigers will face Boston School and Invoice O’Brien, who coached underneath Belichick within the NFL. This recreation may very well be chilly, windy and/or moist, which might give the Eagles an opportunity, however Clemson’s protection will fortify keep away from a street upset.
Prediction: Clemson 24, Boston School 14
In regards to the recreation: This will likely be a rematch of final 12 months’s ACC championship game, during which Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser made a walk-off 56-yard discipline objective to ship the Tigers to the CFP. A walk-off play will not be essential this time.
Prediction: Clemson 34, SMU 21
In regards to the recreation: Clemson will face the Blue Devils after an open date. The Tigers are 20-4-1 in opposition to Duke at house. Clemson suffered a house upset loss after an October open date final season however will not fall into the identical entice this time.
Prediction: Clemson 38, Duke 17
In regards to the recreation: FSU went from ACC champion in 2023 to ending in final place final season. The Seminoles have retooled their roster, however that will not be sufficient to comprise Clemson’s explosive offense and dominate its stingy protection.
Prediction: Clemson 30, FSU 20
In regards to the recreation: This will likely be one of the crucial anticipated ACC video games this season when Clemson faces Louisville on a Friday. The Cardinals earned their first win against Clemson final 12 months, 33-21 at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers will get even this 12 months however in a intently contested battle.
Prediction: Clemson 31, Louisville 28
In regards to the recreation: Clemson has received 32 straight video games in opposition to Furman, an in-state FCS program, which is its longest energetic and all-time profitable streak. The Tigers are 39-0 in opposition to FCS opponents since Division I break up in 1978.
Prediction: Clemson 56, Furman 10
In regards to the recreation: The Palmetto Bowl will likely be in Columbia this 12 months, the place Clemson has received the previous 5 occasions. Rivalry video games are unpredictable, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers will make sufficient performs to elevate the Gamecocks to the win like he did final season at Memorial Stadium.
Prediction: South Carolina 20, Clemson 17
Clemson finishes 10-2 (7-1 ACC) to make the convention championship recreation and be within the 12-team CFP.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville Information and the USA TODAY Community. Electronic mail him at dcarter@gannett.com and comply with him on X, previously often known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
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