Paul Finebaum Names College Football Program Ready to Win National Title

Although Clemson reached the playoff last season, the Tigers weren’t expected to make much noise after slipping in by winning the ACC Championship Game. Still, Finebaum pointed to Clemson, saying he believes Dabo Swinney’s team finally has a roster on par with its 2018 national championship squad and its 2019 14-1 team that advanced to the national title game.

"I mean, for a relatively young guy, Dabo looks very old-school and very smart right now," Finebaum said. "And I've been critical as well, so most of us are in the camp of having tentatively written him off. But he has his best team, probably, since 2019, or 2018. You know, one of those years when Trevor Lawrence was roaming the sidelines. Both of them, to be exact. And quite frankly, I think they're among the two or three most likely national championship contenders. They have it all."

Strong Returners and Depth Powering Clemson’s Campaign

Clemson is among the nation’s leaders in returning starters. Only the Arizona State Sun Devils (17) have more returning starters than the Tigers among Power Four programs.

Clemson brings back 16, including key players on both sides of the ball, such as quarterback Cade Klubnik, wide receiver T.J. Moore, defensive lineman Peter Woods and defensive end T.J. Parker.

In addition, after years of avoiding the transfer portal — and never having a transfer start a game — Swinney turned to it this past offseason to bolster his roster.

Former Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Will Heldt is expected to start for Clemson, while former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jeremiah Alexander and Southeast Missouri State Redhawks wide receiver Tristan Smith are also projected to see playing time.