It's that time of the offseason already where we get unreasonably angry and salty over projected Vegas win totals. Well, Clemson football fans should be a little annoyed by what Vegas expected in 2025 from a preseason top-five team coached by Dabo Swinney.
Sportsbooks have been released over/under projections for the 2025 season over the past couple of months and FanDuel's recent win total was surprisingly low for Clemson.
In fact, FanDuel has it set at 9.5 which means it's expecting likely 2-3 regular-season losses for the Tigers who are expected to run away with the ACC this season with the most returning production of any team in the Power Four.
The 9.5 is only one win ahead of Louisville, Miami, and SMU which feels almost disrespectful given the talent difference between Clemson compared to those teams. It's also only two ahead of Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina. The Seminoles were one of the most disappointing teams in the country last season, Georgia Tech will actually be good, and North Carolina experienced a coaching change this offseason.
I don't love these numbers just based on what Vegas thinks of Clemson. As a bettor, however, I'd be thrilled to see 9.5 wins for Clemson to start the season because I would smash the over (not betting advice, by the way).
Looking at the 2025 schedule, I don't see three regular-season losses for the Tigers. Obviously LSU will be tough to start the season but with that being at home under the lights, it should be a win for Clemson. Georgia Tech on the road a couple of weeks later might be tough, but Clemson should flex its muscle there. North Carolina and Boston College on the road will be tough, too, but again, I see Clemson sweeping that two-game road trip.
Clemson gets SMU, Duke, and Florida State at home before ending the season with Louisville and South Carolina road trips in two of the final three games. I think that'll end in a split.
At most, I see Clemson losing one or two games, but three would be shocking.
Vegas might just be giving us a gift with this 9.5 projection because college football experts think that this is a team that can win a national championship. And I tend to agree.