Paul Finebaum Names Resurging College Football Team That Can ‘Win it All This Year’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the 2025 college football season approaches, excitement is building around several teams.
One of the standout teams is the Clemson Tigers. Last season, the Tigers finished with a 9-4 record and won the ACC. They returned to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020, but unfortunately, they lost to the Texas Longhorns in the first round with a score of 38-24.
Looking ahead, the Tigers aim to compete for the national championship. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), Clemson has a 2.8% chance of winning the national championship, ranking them seventh in the nation.
On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Paul Finebaum from the SEC Network expressed his belief that the Tigers have the potential to win the championship this season.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney exchange words.Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
“I’ve got bad news for you, I think Clemson’s got a chance to win it all this year,” Finebaum said. “On paper, they look like a better team than LSU.”
Clemson is looking to end its championship drought, which has lasted more than five years, and there’s a lot to be excited about. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation for returning production, with over 80% of their overall production returning this season.
One of the standout players returning for Clemson is quarterback Cade Klubnik, who had an impressive season last year, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in his second year as the starter.
In addition to Klubnik, the Tigers are bringing back several key players, including defensive tackle Peter Woods, edge rusher T.J. Parker, linebacker Sammy Brown, and cornerback Avieon Terrell. All of these players, along with Klubnik, are ranked among the College Football Network’s top 100 returning players in college football.
Clemson will kick off the season with an important matchup against the LSU Tigers at home on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Related: Paul Finebaum Names College Football Powerhouse That’s ‘Very Dangerous’
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
