Clemson Projected to Win Every Regular-Season Game But There’s a Catch

It’s been a while since Clemson entered a season with this kind of national backing.

According to preseason power ratings from Brad Powers of the Bet the Board podcast, Clemson is one of just five programs projected to be favored in all 12 of its regular-season games this fall. Joining the Tigers on that exclusive list: Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame and — perhaps surprisingly — Arizona State.

That doesn’t mean Clemson is expected to dominate every week. Powers projections have the Tigers favored by double digits in nine games. But here’s the catch: only three matchups feature a spread tighter than 10 points — the season opener against LSU (-4), a Friday road trip to Louisville (-6), and the annual rivalry clash at South Carolina (-4.5).

Clemson has questions to answer — most notably on defense, after struggling to stop the run in 2024. That weakness ultimately led head coach Dabo Swinney to make a move, bringing in a new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Still, these early projections are a testament to how much respect the roster and program continue to command.

After a few seasons of falling short of Clemson expectations, the Tigers enter 2025 looking reenergized and ready to contend. They’re led by a veteran core and senior quarterback Cade Klubnik, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick.

Defensively, Clemson boasts one of the nation’s most experienced fronts, anchored by veterans Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, DeMonte Capehart and Purdue transfer Will Heldt. With proven leadership on both sides of the ball, Clemson is positioned to reassert itself as the team to beat in the ACC, and make run in the playoffs.

Of course, these are only projections. A similar list ahead of the 2024 season included Miami, Kansas State and Liberty as undefeated hopefuls. Even Florida State was favored in 11 of 12 games last season and finished 2–10.