Clemson entered 2025 with sky-high expectations. The Tigers were the overwhelming ACC favorite, Cade Klubnik was a trendy Heisman pick, and the roster was loaded with All-American talent. Four games later, they look like one of the nation’s most disappointing teams.
“They’re talented, but I don’t know what’s going on there,” an NFL scouting director told The Athletic. “They’re not playing together.”
The harsh evaluation comes as Clemson (1–3) prepares for a noon showdown at North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Saturday. Once viewed as a College Football Playoff contender, the Tigers now sit tied for last place in the ACC and haven’t received a single vote in either major poll.
Klubnik Under the Microscope
Klubnik, who opened the season as one of the faces of the Heisman race, has become a lightning rod for criticism. NFL scouts see ability but worry about his composure.
“If anybody’s pressing, he is,” one scouting director said. “Something’s off with him. I saw the twitch, the mobility, the arm talent, but he needed to clean up his accuracy and decision-making. He just hasn’t been able to play calm and poised.”
A rival defensive coordinator echoed the concern. “He looks really uncomfortable out there. He’s late so often. He looks like a first-time starter, not a guy with as much experience as he has.”
Numbers Don’t Lie
Clemson’s offensive issues are glaring. Ranked 116th in scoring offense nationally, only Northwestern, Oklahoma State and UCLA have been worse among Power 4 teams. The Tigers trailed 0–16 at home against Troy before rallying for their lone win, and their other games—losses to LSU, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse—have fueled growing doubt.
As one national writer put it: “The race for the nation’s most disappointing team in the first month of the season is not close.”
UNC No Better
Ironically, Clemson’s opponent this weekend is just as shaky. North Carolina’s roster has been gutted by the transfer portal, and new coach Bill Belichick’s debut has been rough. The Tar Heels have faced two Power 4 opponents and been outscored 75–16 combined, falling badly to both TCU and UCF.
Belichick was supposed to provide a schematic edge in the ACC, but so far, UNC hasn’t looked any more competitive than the teams it replaced.
Must-Win in Chapel Hill
Saturday’s matchup feels less like a clash of contenders and more like a battle for survival. Clemson needs answers—and quickly. If they can’t pull it together in Chapel Hill, questions about whether this program’s slide is permanent will only grow louder.