Paul Finebaum Shocker—SEC Guru Says Clemson is a National Title Contender

CLEMSON, SC – In a moment that sent shockwaves through the college football world, Paul Finebaum, the revered voice of the SEC Network, stepped onto ESPN's First Take and did something truly unexpected: he passionately championed the Clemson Tigers as a legitimate national title contender for the 2025 season.

Known for his staunch loyalty to the Southeastern Conference, Finebaum's high praise for Dabo Swinney's program signals a serious shift in perception. During a discussion on the top storylines of the upcoming season, Finebaum didn't mince words when it came to the state of the ACC and Clemson's prospects.

"I think they're a sure thing to get back," Finebaum declared, referring to Clemson's return to the College Football Playoff. But he didn't stop there. "They may even be a legitimate shot at winning a title. They have in mind the best quarterback in the country in Cade Klubnik, they have an elite defense with perhaps three [first-round NFL Draft] picks on there."

Finebaum went even further, proclaiming, "Dabo Swinney, even though he's fallen off the face of the earth for a while, he's back now and I think this is his best team since his last national championship appearance in '19." This is a monumental statement from an analyst not typically quick to credit programs outside the SEC elite.

However, not everyone on the panel was buying all the Clemson hype. Fellow panelist Kevin Clark pushed back, reiterating his earlier prediction that LSU will come into Clemson in August and win that pivotal Week 1 showdown. Clark placed the onus squarely on Klubnik to carry the team to any national expectations, expressing skepticism about the overall talent level compared to Clemson's previous championship rosters.

"With Klubnik, it all comes down to whether or not -- I know this is crazy to say -- [he 's like] Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence," Clark argued, pointing to a perceived drop in recruiting. "The reason I say is that is they haven't recruited at the level they did a decade ago. You look at those rosters where they won championships and there were NFL bodies at every single part of the field. Now it's more of a top-heavy thing, they're not on the trail like they used to getting as many five-stars as they did a decade ago."

Clark concluded that while he "would not be surprised in January to see them in the CFP," he doesn't believe they are "national contenders just yet."

Despite the dissenting view, Finebaum's ringing endorsement sends a clear message: Clemson is back on the radar in a big way. With an "elite" quarterback, a defense loaded with NFL talent, and a head coach Finebaum believes is at his best since 2019, the Tigers are poised to prove their championship aspirations are legitimate. The stage is set for a season of intense scrutiny and potential glory in Death Valley.