Latest news with #ACCChampionshipGame
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Takes Subtle Shot at Clemson Ahead of LSU Showdown
Paul Finebaum Takes Subtle Shot at Clemson Ahead of LSU Showdown originally appeared on Athlon Sports. ESPN's Paul Finebaum is known for his bold opinions that often spark controversy. He isn't hesitant to take jabs at conferences outside of the SEC. Advertisement Referred to as the "Mouth of the South," Finebaum frequently targets other conferences to ignite discussion. Recently, he has focused on the Big Ten, particularly because a Big Ten team has won the last two national championships, arguably positioning the conference as the top in college football. However, Finebaum has now shifted his attention to the ACC during his show, "The Paul Finebaum Show." He recently belittled the champions of the ACC from last season, the Clemson Tigers. Clemson Tigers place kicker Nolan Hauser (81) makes a 56-yard field goal to win the ACC Championship game against the SMU Mustangs.© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images "I think LSU could have probably made the playoffs in that league," Finebaum said. Clemson made it to the College Football Playoff after narrowly escaping a significant lead in the ACC Championship Game against the SMU Mustangs. The Tigers were ahead 24-7 at halftime, but the Mustangs made a strong comeback and managed to tie the game at 31 with just 16 seconds left on the clock. Advertisement Fortunately for Clemson, Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to the Tigers' 45-yard line. Quarterback Cade Klubnik then connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard pass, leaving only three seconds remaining and setting up a 56-yard field goal attempt from SMU's 38-yard line. Kicker Nolan Hauser successfully made the field goal, clinching a 34-31 victory for Clemson and securing their automatic bid into the playoffs. With a final record of 10-4, the Tigers had faced tough competition during the regular season. They suffered losses to the Georgia Bulldogs (34-3), Louisville Cardinals (33-21) and South Carolina Gamecocks (17-14), all of which were ranked No. 7, No. 12 and No. 15 by ESPN's FPI. That's not including the 38-24 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns were the No. 2 team in the FPI. On the other hand, LSU finished the season with a 9-4 record. The Tigers faced defeats against the USC Trojans (27-20), Texas A&M Aggies (38-23), Alabama Crimson Tide (42-13) and Florida Gators (27-16), who were ranked No. 17, No. 16, No. 4 and No. 19, respectively. It remains uncertain whether LSU would have achieved similar success to Clemson in 2024 had they been in the ACC instead of the SEC. Nevertheless, this topic makes for engaging discussions on the SEC Network. Related: Paul Finebaum Names College Football Team That Will End Their Playoff Drought This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Pollack Revealed Who Will Win the ACC Without Hesitation
David Pollack Revealed Who Will Win the ACC Without Hesitation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season is just under two months away from kicking off. This week marked the beginning of media days for some of the power conferences, with the Big 12 hosting its event. Advertisement As a result, national analysts have started making predictions for the upcoming season. Former ESPN "College GameDay" analyst David Pollack has been sharing his forecasts on his podcast, "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack." In a recent episode, he talked about the ACC and highlighted one team that he believes stands out from the rest: the Clemson Tigers. Last season, the Tigers won the conference by defeating the SMU Mustangs with a last-second field goal. Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator Garrett Riley talks with quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) on the Ruinard-Imagn Images "I'm going to pick Clemson," Pollack said. "If you don't, you are probably crazy." Pollack is confident that Clemson will reach the ACC Championship Game in 2025, though he is unsure who the Tigers will face in their quest for another conference title. He noted that Clemson has won the ACC championship in eight of the last ten seasons and has faced seven different teams during those years. There is considerable optimism surrounding the Tigers this season. Advertisement Clemson is ranked No. 1 in the nation for returning production, with over 80% of its overall production from last year coming back. A key player returning to the team is quarterback Cade Klubnik, who had an impressive season last year. He threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions in his second year as the starter. In addition to Klubnik, Clemson is 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 athletes, 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 a major matchup against the LSU Tigers on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Related: Paul Finebaum Takes Subtle Shot at Clemson Ahead of LSU Showdown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The Sporting News predicts Alabama's 2025 season, CFP fate in Year 2 under Kalen DeBoer
The 2025 college football season is just over two months away, and The Sporting News is among several national media outlets making its prediction for the Alabama Crimson Tide in Year 2 under coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama finished 9-4 last season, hardly the worst start for a coach tasked with enormous expectations following the retirement of Nick Saban. But a stunning loss to Vanderbilt after the Crimson Tide's rollercoaster win over Georgia, followed by a pair of ugly losses down the stretch to Oklahoma and a Michigan team that was a shell of its 2023 self, left something of a sour taste to close 2024. DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will have to break in a new quarterback in Ty Simpson, but Alabama has a lot of talent returning in 2025 -- particularly in the wide receiver room with Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard leading the way, and in the secondary with cornerbacks Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson, and safeties Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard. The Crimson Tide also have an incoming freshman class that ranks in the top five in recruiting. Earlier this week, the Sporting News made its 12-team playoff predictions for the 2025 season. In the outlet's preseason projections, Alabama makes the College Football Playoff as the No. 7 seed and hosts a first-round playoff game against the Miami Hurricanes at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Per Bender: "Kalen DeBoer gets the Crimson Tide back in the College Football Playoff in his second season, and the Hurricanes are the at-large bid for the ACC. That means Carson Beck delivers as the new starting quarterback, and Mario Cristobal avoids a season-altering upset." A return trip to Tuscaloosa would mark Beck's second game in Bryant-Denny Stadium in as many seasons. As Georgia's starter in 2023 and '24, Beck went 0-2 against Alabama, including last year's 41-34 thriller on Sept. 28 that was clinched by a game-saving interception from the freshman Brown. For its part, Miami looked to be a lock for the ACC Championship Game last year under Heisman Trophy finalist and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Cam Ward, but the Hurricanes lost its regular season finale in an upset at Syracuse. The Sporting News sees Alabama taking on defending national champion Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026. That means a matchup against former 5-star Crimson Tide QB commit Julian Sayin. "The Buckeyes are in the Rose Bowl for the second straight season as the Big Ten champion, and Alabama would be a formidable matchup. Julian Sayin -- who decommitted from Alabama after Nick Saban retired -- would be the center of attention in this matchup assuming he wins the starting job for the Buckeyes." Bender sees Alabama falling to the Buckeyes in Pasadena as part of his overall prediction that Ryan Day's team will return to the national championship game for a second year in a row; this time in a matchup against Texas at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Jan. 20. Alabama football schedule 2025 Alabama opens the 2025 season against Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Aug. 30. Kickoff was announced earlier this spring for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC. Here's the rest of the 2025 Alabama football schedule with updated start times. All times Central. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson is all over The Athletic's Top 25 ACC football players for the 2025 season
Clemson football will enter the 2025 season with no shortage of star power, and The Athletic's ($$$) latest ACC player rankings reflect just how loaded Dabo Swinney's roster is. Nine Tigers were named among the top 25 players in the ACC, with five of them ranked inside the top 10, including three in the top five and two in the top three. Edge rusher T.J. Parker leads the way at No. 1 overall after an outstanding 2024 campaign that included 16.5 career sacks, six forced fumbles, and a four-sack performance against Pittsburgh. He was also a key factor in Clemson's win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game. Fellow defensive lineman Peter Woods came in at No. 3. The 315-pound interior force recorded 28 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in his first season as a full-time starter. The Athletic's Manny Navarro described Parker and Woods as 'a two-headed monster' that gives Clemson a major advantage defensively heading into 2025. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was ranked No. 4, earning recognition as the top quarterback in the league. Klubnik made a major leap in efficiency last year and enters this fall with 36 career touchdown passes, the most among returning FBS quarterbacks. His supporting cast only adds to his potential, with standout receiver Antonio Williams ranked No. 7 overall and recognized as the ACC's top wideout after leading the league with 11 touchdown receptions in 2024. Cornerback Avieon Terrell gives Clemson five players in the top 10. He landed at No. 8 after posting 58 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and two interceptions last season, while also establishing himself as one of the league's most reliable run defenders. Clemson's presence continues deeper into the list, with offensive tackle Blake Miller at No. 12. The veteran lineman has started 41 games in his career and was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2024. Linebacker Wade Woodaz (No. 16), safety Khalil Barnes (No. 18), and sophomore linebacker Sammy Brown (No. 22) round out the Clemson contingent. Barnes has led the team in interceptions each of the past two years, and Brown — a former five-star recruit — was last season's ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson star wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. named a top player to watch for 2027 NFL draft
Clemson star wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. named a top player to watch for 2027 NFL draft The 2025 college football season hasn't even kicked off yet, but Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. is already drawing long-term attention from NFL scouts and analysts. Despite being just one year into his college career, the rising sophomore is already being viewed as a top prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft. A former consensus top-35 recruit out of Midlothian (Texas) High School, Wesco wasted no time making an impact in his true freshman season at Clemson. He led the Tigers in yards per reception (17.3), finishing the year with 41 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games, including 11 starts. His breakout year earned him freshman All-American honors from multiple outlets, including Pro Football Focus (PFF). PFF's Max Chadwick recently spotlighted Wesco as one of college football's most intriguing future NFL Draft prospects. 'Wesco's 707 receiving yards trailed only Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams among true freshmen wideouts while his 2.21 yards per route run were fifth and led the Tigers this season,' Chadwick wrote. He also pointed to Wesco's dominant performance in Clemson's ACC Championship victory over SMU as a defining moment. In that game, Wesco hauled in eight passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns — setting a new ACC Championship Game record for receiving yards by a freshman and tying for the second-most by any player in the game's history. Wesco's production didn't stop there. The ACC title game was one of three 100-yard receiving performances for him in 2024, making him just the fifth true freshman in Clemson history to accomplish that feat since the NCAA granted permanent freshman eligibility in 1972. His 17.3 yards per catch marked the highest average by a Tiger with at least 40 receptions since Tee Higgins in 2019 (19.8), and the best by a Clemson freshman with 40 or more catches since Justyn Ross in 2018 (21.7). Both PFF and ESPN are bullish on Wesco's future heading into the 2025 season, ranking him among the top receivers in the country. PFF placed him at No. 7 among returning wideouts, while ESPN slotted him at No. 8 — further evidence of the high expectations surrounding the young Tiger. Alongside fellow sophomore standout T.J. Moore, Wesco is expected to be a focal point of Clemson's passing game this season. And while there's still a long road ahead before the 2027 NFL Draft, Wesco is already turning heads with his elite combination of speed, body control, and big-play ability Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
