The consensus at ESPN is in: the Clemson Tigers are a College Football Playoff team. But that's where the agreement abruptly ends.
In a final preseason panel featuring 12 of the network's top college football analysts, every single expert has Dabo Swinney's squad in the 12-team field. However, a stark divide emerges in how they see the Tigers' season playing out, with predictions ranging from the No. 1 overall seed to a team with fundamental flaws that will keep them from hoisting the trophy.
The Believers: Top-Four Bye and 'Underrated'
The overwhelming majority of the panel—10 of the 12 experts—are incredibly bullish on the Tigers, projecting them to earn a top-four seed and a coveted first-round bye.
ESPN's lead CFP reporter, Heather Dinich, has been waving the Clemson flag all offseason and has them seeded at No. 2 overall.
"Clemson was overrated heading into the 2024 season. Now it's underrated," Dinich stated. "The Tigers' offense is loaded, starting with much-improved quarterback Cade Klubnik and a deep receiver corps... Clemson has a chance to not only win the ACC, but return to the top of the sport."
Andrea Adelson is even more optimistic, placing Clemson at the very top of her bracket as the No. 1 overall seed.
The Skeptic: 'Not Buying Top 5 Potential Yet'
On the other end of the spectrum is analytics guru Bill Connelly, who has been vocal about his doubts regarding Clemson's elite status. He seeds the Tigers at No. 8, a spot that would have them hosting a first-round playoff game against a dangerous Oregon team.
"I'm not low on them. I'm just not buying Top 5 potential yet," Connelly explained.
His core issue is a lack of offensive explosiveness, a trait he deems non-negotiable for a national champion.
"It's been a very, very, efficiency-heavy and big play-light offense," Connelly said. "You don't win national titles without big plays."
Connelly views 2025 as a put-up-or-shut-up year for Clemson's current program-building strategy in the modern era of college football.
"We're going to find out once and for all if Clemson in this era can put together a national title roster," he declared. "Because if this isn't it, I don't think it's going to happen."
With the massive season opener against LSU just days away, the time for debate is nearly over. The world is about to find out if this Clemson team is a true title contender or just a good team with a great quarterback.