It's safe to say that the 2025 season might just be the most anticipated for Clemson football since Trevor Lawrence was manning the quarterback position in 2020.
The Tigers return a ton of production from last year's playoff team and they have arguably the nation's top quarterback, potentially the top receiving corps, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound tight end that came over from the basketball team, a strong offensive line, a dynamic, young backfield, and a defense that includes three potential first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
This team is loaded, and Dabo Swinney knows it.
Vegas set the win total for Clemson at 9.5 which seems low, but when you look at how tough the schedule is, it makes sense. The Tigers may be a preseason top-five team, but they're not guaranteed a playoff berth thanks to this grueling non-conference slate.
These are the three toughest games on the 2025 schedule, in my opinion.
1. at South Carolina (Nov. 29)
South Carolina is undoubtedly circled on every Clemson fan's magnet schedule. The Gamecocks beat Clemson last year at Memorial Stadium and you just know that haunts Dabo Swinney. He's not going to sit back and let that happen again.
The Gamecocks aren't pushovers like they've been in the past and you can thank Shane Beamer for that turnaround. He's been everything Gamecock fans wished for, and more.
LaNorris Sellers leads the way for South Carolina and he will provide half of one of the best quarterback duels we'll see in college football this season. Williams-Brice Stadium is going to be rocking on Nov. 29 as this could be a playoff elimination game (although both could get in).
2. LSU (Aug. 30)
Bookending the toughest games of the season is LSU. The Tigers open the season with LSU and close with South Carolina which I believe to be their two toughest games of the year. Fitting.
LSU will also have one of the nation's top quarterbacks dueling it out with Cade Klubnik as Garrett Nussmeier, too, is considered a top Heisman Trophy candidate. That LSU offense could be a problem, but it'll be strength vs. strength with that elite Clemson defense.
Man, I can't wait for Aug. 30.
3. Florida State (Nov. 8)
I actually struggled with this one because a number of opponents could be slotted here at No. 3 like North Carolina, Boston College, Duke, SMU, Louisville, and my personal favorite, Georgia Tech.
Florida State was bad last season, but I think we see this team take a massive step back in the right direction and contend for the ACC title. The Seminoles relied heavily on DJ Uiagalelei last season and it backfired which won't be a problem for Mike Norvell this year. Plus, this is a rivalry game so it's going to be intense no matter how good or bad Florida State's record is.