Paul Finebaum Names Team That Will Return to the College Football Playoff

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 10:50 AM ET

The 2024 college football season saw several teams rise back up the ranks, with one team making a significant comeback to the College Football Playoff after experiencing its worst season since 2010. That team is the Clemson Tigers.

In the 2010s, the Tigers were one of the premier programs in college football, making six College Football Playoffs and winning two national championships from 2015-20. However, Clemson faced a challenging period from 2021-23. In 2023, it finished with a record of 9-4, marking its worst performance since 2010, when it had a record of 6-7.

The 2024 season brought about a remarkable turnaround for Clemson. The Tigers achieved a record of 10-4, won the ACC Championship, and earned an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff by winning their conference.

Clemson lost to the Texas Longhorns 38-24 in the first round of the playoffs. Despite this outcome, ESPN's Paul Finebaum stated on "The Paul Finebaum Show" that he anticipates a strong season for the Tigers in 2025.

"I happen to think Clemson is going back to the playoff this year," Finebaum said.

Finebaum has expressed optimism about Clemson this offseason. He previously mentioned that he believes Clemson is a "legitimate" contender for the national championship in 2025. The Tigers are in a strong position, ranking No. 1 in the country for returning production. Clemson is set to return 81% of its total production next season, including 86% of its offense, which also ranks No. 1, and 75% of its defense, which ranks No. 7.

The most significant returnee is quarterback Cade Klubnik, who threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions last season. He also rushed for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.

Clemson will kick off its season on August 30 against the LSU Tigers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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