Latest news with #DaboSwinney
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 CFB Predictions, Picks: Back Penn State To Surpass Win Total
The college football season will be here before you know it. I usually dive into the deep end of the pigskin pool immediately after the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are finito, so here we are. There aren't many moves I'm ready to make for Week 1 yet — I do love Over 54.5 total points in the Miami-Notre Dame — but I've done a good amount of work on regular season win totals and the power conference betting markets. Here are three future bets I like right now. Clemson to win ACC There aren't many higher on the Tigers than me. I'm far from a "Clemson guy," but Dabo Swinney's offense is loaded with skill and speed, and the Tigers have a first-round quarterback in Cade Klubnik. Sure, it's a younger group of skill position guys, but the talent is serious. And you already know there are four or five NFL players on defense. The ACC should be a two-horse race between Clemson and Miami, another team that's got gobs and gobs of talent. I currently have Clemson 4.5 points better on a neutral and that number might grow during the season. You'll have a nice middle shot if the Tigers are better than the market believes, and they are touchdown favorites or so in the ACC title game. PICK: Clemson (+120) to win ACC Penn State Over 10.5 wins A few people that I respect believe this is the most complete team James Franklin has ever had in Happy Valley. Obviously, that phrase gets overused in sports, but it's pretty difficult to disagree in this specific situation. The defense could be better than last year's and Penn State added a couple of legit receivers from the portal to go along with its returning quarterback Drew Allar, top two running backs and offensive coordinator. Stability is not an issue. One bettor flashed me a $5,000 ticket on Penn State to win the whole enchilada at 9/1. It'll pay $45,000 if it comes home. I certainly respect the play but just can't get there. My issue is that Franklin seems to find a way to flub a major decision in the biggest games. It's cruel, but fair. I'm pumping the brakes on a Big Ten title or national championship, believing it's a better bet to back the Nittany Lions to reach 11 wins. PICK: Penn State (+120) Over 10.5 wins Notre Dame Under 10.5 wins My "Bet Sweats" co-host Joe Ostrowski and I bet Notre Dame to win the national title at 10-1 a week before the College Football Playoff. We rode the wave over Indiana, Georgia and Penn State only to see the Irish get shoved against Ohio State in the championship game. Right size, wrong shape. The Irish are likely handing the keys on offense to freshman quarterback CJ Carr, a kid who is decidedly less experienced than transfers Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard were the last two seasons. And if Carr doesn't win the job, sophomore Kenny Minchey doesn't have much seasoning either. Notre Dame will run the ball a ton and their defense will carry the load for most games, but I can't ignore the quarterback youth or the schedule. And games against Miami, Texas A&M, Arkansas and USC are no walks in the park. PICK: Notre Dame (-140) Under 10.5 wins Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Clemson landed in ESPN's updated 2026 recruiting rankings after June official visits
June's slate of official visits is now in the rearview, and while Clemson football awaits several key recruiting decisions, ESPN has released its latest 2026 class rankings — with the Tigers still firmly in the national mix. Clemson checks in at No. 6 overall in ESPN's updated rankings, sliding down two spots from the previous edition. Still, the Tigers remain one of the top programs in the country with 10 ESPN 300 commitments already in the fold. The current class continues to show strong momentum, especially after a fast-paced March that reshaped the outlook of Clemson's 2026 haul. 'Clemson is coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, but the Tigers are still chasing the heights of their mid-2010s success under Dabo Swinney, and their 2025 class ranked just 37th in the country,' ESPN's Craig Haubert wrote. 'Their 2026 group is looking more promising, especially after a red-hot March in which Swinney landed eight verbals, including five ESPN 300 commits.' Four-star defensive lineman Keshawn Stancil is scheduled to announce on June 28, followed by five-star lineman Bryce Perry-Wright on July 4. Both are highly sought-after targets who would significantly boost the Tigers' already strong defensive class. Nationally, USC holds the top spot with 17 ESPN 300 commitments. Texas A&M (13), Notre Dame (14), Georgia (12), and Ohio State (13) round out the Top 5. Within the ACC, Miami sits at No. 8 with nine ESPN 300 pledges, while Florida State has surged to No. 10 after previously being outside the Top 25, now holding eight ESPN 300 commits. Other ACC teams in the Top 25 include North Carolina (No. 18), Cal (No. 19), SMU (No. 20), and Louisville (No. 25). Syracuse, meanwhile, took the biggest drop after a quiet visit period, falling 12 spots to No. 22 with just one ESPN 300 recruit. As more summer decisions roll in, Clemson is well-positioned to stay among the nation's elite — and potentially climb even higher in the coming weeks. 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
6 days ago
- 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
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson defensive end Will Heldt named a transfer who 'could swing' the Tigers' CFP hopes
Clemson offensive line ranked Top 10 heading into 2025 by two ESPN analysts CBS Sports recently identified transfer portal additions who could have the biggest impact on the 2025 College Football Playoff race, and one of Clemson's newest faces made the cut. Junior defensive end Will Heldt, a transfer from Purdue, was named the Tigers' most important portal pickup in the outlet's post-spring Top 25 feature. CBS Sports' Chris Hummer singled out Heldt as a player who 'could swing College Football Playoff hopes,' pointing to both his production and timing. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound edge rusher arrives at Clemson after two strong seasons in the Big Ten, and more importantly, he represents a rare step into the transfer portal by Dabo Swinney. 'Clemson finished last season ranked 59th in pressure rate, well below where you expect the Tigers to sit after finishing fourth, 22nd, 11th and 15th in that category across the last four seasons,' Hummer wrote. 'Heldt helps address that shortcoming. He posted 10 TFLs and five sacks for Purdue last season and should form one of the best edge rusher duos in the country with T.J. Parker. Plus, Heldt's presence itself is a bit of a swing factor in the playoff race. He's the first significant transfer take of Dabo Swinney's career.' Heldt played in all 24 games for Purdue from 2023 to 2024, compiling 68 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery. Last fall, he started all 12 games and was second on the team in both sacks and tackles for loss while ranking fourth in total tackles. Two of his best games came in back-to-back weeks against ranked opponents, where he tallied 2.5 sacks and returned a fumble 16 yards for a touchdown. Originally from Carmel, Indiana, Heldt was ranked No. 28 overall by ESPN among the top 100 transfer players this offseason. He was also recently featured in a CBS Sports breakdown of players 'most likely to make an immediate impact on the ACC' in 2025. With two years of eligibility remaining, Heldt not only fills a critical need for Clemson up front, but also marks a philosophical shift for Swinney — who had long resisted the transfer portal before adding Heldt. His arrival is expected to play a significant role in the Tigers' push back into the national spotlight. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson offensive line ranked Top 10 heading into 2025 by two ESPN analysts
Clemson football's offensive line continues to earn national recognition ahead of the 2025 season. On a recent episode of his Always College Football show, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, joined by fellow analyst Cole Cubelic, ranked the top 10 offensive lines in the country — and Clemson checked in at No. 9 on their list. With four starters returning, the Tigers are expected to take another step forward under offensive line coach Matt Luke, who has quickly made a strong impact since joining Dabo Swinney's staff. Clemson loses veteran Marcus Tate at left guard, but the rest of the unit remains intact. Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh return as the bookend tackles, Ryan Linthicum anchors the middle at center, and sixth-year lineman Walker Parks provides versatility and leadership along the interior. Advertisement Replacing Tate likely won't be a major issue, with sophomore Harris Sewell ready to step in. Sewell has already logged over 1,000 snaps in his first two seasons and has shown steady improvement throughout his time in the program. 'I could probably start and finish this reasoning with the coach of the offensive line, Matt Luke,' McElroy said. 'Usually, any group that he's in charge of, you feel pretty good about. They bring back four out of five starters. I'm not concerned at all about the positions that return.' Cubelic, a former Auburn offensive lineman, echoed that sentiment and credited Luke with instilling a tougher edge in Clemson's front. 'Matt Luke has brought a little bit more of that glass-eater mentality,' he said. 'It was an amazing hire by Dabo. You're plugging in a guy like Harris Sewell, who's already played a ton, and I think Tristan Leigh can be one of the better tackles in the ACC.' Both analysts agreed that if Clemson's offensive line can live up to expectations, the rest of the offense could benefit in a big way. Cubelic noted that in recent years, the Tigers' line hasn't always stood out even when the offense has thrived, but this year could be different with so much continuity and experience up front. Pro Football Focus also recently ranked Clemson among the top 10 offensive lines heading into the season, placing the Tigers at No. 10. McElroy concluded, 'I think it's got a chance to be one of their better groups they've had. Just all things considered, I really believe that.' Advertisement The full top-10 list from McElroy and Cubelic featured Notre Dame at No. 1, followed by Texas A&M, Florida, Alabama, Utah, Miami, Penn State, Auburn, Clemson, and Oregon. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson offensive line ranked Top 10 by two ESPN analysts
