The 2025 season could be a revenge tour for the Clemson Tigers, culminating in a national championship showdown. At least, that's the path one prominent ESPN analyst is forecasting in the network's official College Football Playoff predictions.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach released his full 12-team playoff bracket, and he is exceptionally high on the Tigers, seeding them as the No. 2 overall team in the country and sending them all the way to the title game in Miami Gardens.
"I love what Clemson is bringing back on the defensive line, and I think Cade Klubnik is going to be a star," Schlabach said, explaining his rationale for placing the Tigers among the nation's elite.
A Gauntlet of Rematches
Schlabach's projected path for Clemson is loaded with dramatic, high-stakes rematches:
- Quarterfinal (Orange Bowl): After a first-round bye, Clemson would face LSU in a rematch of their season opener. Schlabach picks the Tigers to win.
- Semifinal (Peach Bowl): A showdown with Penn State awaits. This game would feature an intriguing storyline, pitting Clemson's defense, led by former Nittany Lions DC Tom Allen, against his old team. Schlabach gives Clemson the edge.
- National Championship: The season would end where it began for the College Football Playoff era—with a title game against a familiar foe. Schlabach predicts a rematch of last year's playoff game against Texas, but this time, he gives the Longhorns the ultimate victory.
Not So Fast...
However, not everyone at ESPN sees such a deep run for the Tigers. Schlabach's colleague, Kyle Bonagura, also projects Clemson to earn a first-round bye as the No. 4 overall seed.
But that's where the good news ends in his prediction. Bonagura has the Tigers' season ending in their first playoff game, falling to No. 5 seed Georgia in the Orange Bowl quarterfinals.
While the experts are split on the final outcome, the consensus at the Worldwide Leader is clear: Clemson is viewed as a top-four team and a legitimate national title contender heading into a highly anticipated 2025 season.