ESPN analyst Heather Dinich believes the Playoff Predictor is underrating Clemson in 2025
The Tigers are given a 47.3% shot at making the 12-team College Football Playoff, according to the latest ESPN analytics model. That marks the first time Clemson is projected to have at least a 10% CFP chance in consecutive seasons since the program's dominant six-year stretch from 2015 to 2020. However, the model gives the Tigers just a 2.8% chance to win the national championship, which would be their first since 2018.
Not everyone agrees with that outlook — especially ESPN's Heather Dinich.
'Clemson was overrated heading into the 2024 season. Now it's underrated,' Dinich wrote. 'The Tigers' offense is loaded, starting with much-improved quarterback Cade Klubnik and a deep receiver corps.'
She pointed to the team's veteran offensive line and dominant defensive front as reasons why Clemson could return to national prominence and potentially win the ACC again. A 2–0 finish in non-conference games — with wins over LSU to open the season and rival South Carolina to close it — could give the Tigers a major edge in the eyes of the CFP selection committee, particularly in head-to-head comparisons with SEC teams.
Still, Dinich acknowledged the ACC schedule may not help Clemson's case much.
'If Clemson doesn't go 2–0 against the SEC, this could be an issue,' she said, citing the lack of Miami on the regular season schedule. 'SMU and Louisville could be top-25 opponents — and maybe Syracuse or Georgia Tech sneak in. But Clemson can't afford another loss to Louisville, and they shouldn't drop one to SMU at home either.'
Even with a potential loss in the ACC Championship Game, Dinich believes Clemson could still qualify for the playoff as an at-large — though a weak conference resume might be a sticking point.
Clemson's projected path is slightly ahead of Miami's, with the Hurricanes coming in at 46.3% to make the CFP and 2.7% to win it all. SMU is next among ACC teams at 21.1%. South Carolina, meanwhile, is ranked 22nd in the Playoff Predictor at 20.3%.
Texas leads the way nationally with an 83.9% chance to reach the CFP and a 24.1% title probability.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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