The 2025 season of college football is still a good few months away. But that is not stopping analysts and insiders from making predictions based on how things have been going on so far. These results get more interesting when it comes to returning champions like Clemson. Veteran coach Dabo Swinney will be stepping into his 18 season with the Tigers and the 2024 ACC championship win to flaunt. The expectations are extremely high for this team, but maybe—just maybe — Clemson will see some shocks along the way.

Swinney led the team to a 10-4 finish in the season, ending with the conference championship win over SMU. The HC has had better records in the past, but this is a finish to be happy about as well. Their road in the playoffs ended abruptly after they lost to Texas, yet Swinney said he was “grateful” for the season they had. Clemson will be beginning their 2025 season on August 30, facing off against LSU. If you pit Dabo Swinney against Brian Kelly, the former does seem to have some weight. However, some insiders are going bold, predicting that Swinney might not have it this year against Kelly.

Michael Bratton and Cousin Shane of That SEC Football Podcast included Clemson in a list of expected upsets this season. The former talked about the points on FanDuel: “They (Clemson) are, I believe, a two-and-a-half three-point underdog right now.”

“Clemson’s going to be favored to win the ACC, I believe, once again,” Bratton said. “This would not be like some monumental upset by any means, basically a coin toss. … LSU has not won an opener since 2019, since they won the national championship. I think this is the year they do it.” Bratton just has a feeling about this game, and fans are also leaning toward this possible fate.

Bratton doesn’t think Clemson or Swinney have it in them to win the game. “I don’t understand the hype. I mean, it was not that long ago we were saying Dabo’s in over his head. And, I think because they beat SMU. And, it was like a miracle that they even beat them. They got back into the playoff only because of the auto bid. But for some reason, Clemson’s getting all this hype. I’m not buying it.”

The championship game saw a close finish, with Clemson winning 34-31 over SMU. Going by Bratton’s perspective, Clemson’s streak of luck might seem to be ending with a loss to LSU.

Shane remarked, “Brian Kelly doesn’t lose three years in a row for a season opener. It just doesn’t happen.” He later added, “I do think that LSU again is going to surprise a few teams. And I think you start that banner year by having a big win against them Clemson Tigers.” Even 247Sports sides with Bratton and Shane. “If LSU can go into that stadium and get a win, it sets itself up not just as a college football playoff contender but a potential championship contender.”

Swinney’s Clemson might be a popular favorite, but there’s a clear wave of support growing for the other group of Tigers. In another blow to the HC, Cade Klubnik might not be meeting the bar he set for himself last season.

Should Dabo Swinney be worried about Cade Klubnik?

Swinney didn’t hold back on his criticism of Klubnik after a poor spring scrimmage. “I didn’t think Cade had a good day today. I thought he was very average.” He even went on to add some more harsh words, however jesting Swinney intended them to be.

“I think he was already in Cabo or something. Maybe he thought he wasn’t going to get many reps, but he wasn’t locked in.” Klubnik, however, took the words to heart. “I wasn’t… I was mad he said that.” But the offense was poor in that spring scrimmage. “We were too careless with the football on offense,” Swinney said.

Cade Klubnik has the numbers to match the hype around him. He finished 2024 with 3,639 yards and also scored 36 touchdowns, making just 6 interceptions. One bad spring scrimmage doesn’t do a lot to dent his name and talent. However, Klubnik will have to approach the LSU game with caution simply because he might not be able to make it to the match. Garrett Nussmeier will be returning for the last time in college football. Nussmeier, in 2024, recorded 4,029 yards, 29 TDs, and 12 interceptions. In 2025, he will play, with an aim for a glorious finish.

Swinney will have more than the required amount of attention this season, given the way Clemson finished last year. They have a new team going ahead, headlined by Cade Klubnik. However, with analysts predicting this upset loss against LSU, Swinney might have to employ a cautious approach on all fronts as they advance into the season.