The hype train for the Clemson Tigers is rolling full steam ahead into the 2025 college football season. Few teams around the country – regardless of conference affiliation, NIL money spent or transfer portal activity – possess the top-to-bottom talent that the Tigers do, and that includes a Heisman Trophy favorite at quarterback (Cade Klubnik), two top-tier defensive linemen who will be 1st Round Draft picks (TJ Parker and Peter Woods), and arguably the best trio of wide receivers in the country (Bryant Wesco, Antonio Williams and TJ Moore).
But before Clemson Tigers fans start booking their tickets to Miami for the National Championship Game, there is one historical hurdle that the Tigers would have to clear.
In a recent piece for CBS Sports, David Cobb outlined ‘the secret to winning it all.’ Per Cobb, the previous 10 National Champions have returned at least three of the following four key figures: head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and a quarterback who started at least four games in the previous season.
For those keeping track, Clemson does meet that criteria. Cade Klubnik is a multi-year starters, Dabo Swinney is nearing his 20th season as Clemson’s head coach, and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is back after an incredibly successful first season in 2024. The only new face is defensive coordinator Tom Allen, which is a hire that was met with universal approval.
However, there was one caveat in Cobb’s criteria that should potentially give Clemson backers at least a little bit of pause.
“Every national champion of the CFP era finished the prior season at No. 13 or better in the CFP rankings,” writes Cobb. Even though Clemson did make the College Football Playoff field as winners of the ACC Championship, the Tigers were ranked 16th in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
Now it should be worth noting that Notre Dame, who made it all the way to the College Football Playoff Championship Game last season, finished the 2023 season ranked 16th (just like Clemson) in the final College Football Playoff poll. So even if there isn’t an example of a team finishing outside of the top 12 winning the National Championship, Clemson can point to ND as an example of a team that could defy the odds and make it to the title game.
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