Could Clemson’s 2026 CFP Dream Be the Dark Horse No One Sees Coming?

When you peek at college football’s landscape right now, one thing’s crystal clear: Clemson’s quietly shaping up to be a serious contender in the 2025 season—and not just in whispers, but in bold predictions. Now, I’ve been around the block enough to spot a genuine “sleeper” pick when I see one, and the Tigers are flashing all the right signs to crash the national championship party at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami come January 2026. With Cade Klubnik’s jaw-dropping 2024 campaign—racking up over 3,600 passing yards and tossing 36 touchdowns against just six picks—and a talent pool that might boast as many as five future NFL first-rounders, this roster could be Clemson’s most polished since their historic streak of College Football Playoff appearances. Both USA TODAY Sports and ESPN have them perched at No. 2 after spring evaluations, and Blake Toppmeyer recently spotlighted Clemson as a dark horse in the title chase, just behind the LSU Tigers, their Week 1 adversary in what’s already shaping up to be a can’t-miss kickoff clash. There’s a lot to unpack with this crew—experienced passers, burgeoning receivers, and sturdy defense—all under Dabo Swinney’s watchful eye. Trust me, this is a team you want on your radar as the season unfolds. LEARN MOREAt least one national college football columnist believes the Clemson Tigers are a bonafide “sleeper” pick to win the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami come January 2026.All start times Eastern.Clemson vs. LSU in Week 1 is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. (ET) start time. The game will be televised on ABC.

Toppmeyer said of Dabo Swinney’s 2025 team:”What’s not to like about Clemson? The Tigers returned gobs of production, making them the decisive ACC frontrunner. Much like LSU, they feature a seasoned quarterback and a talented batch of wide receivers. Clemson hosts LSU in a Week 1 prove-it game.”

USA TODAY Sports and ESPN both have the Tigers at No. 2 in their post-spring top 25 rankings, and on Monday, USA TODAY Sports’ Blake Toppmeyer named five schools as dark horse contenders for the 2025 national championship, ranked 1-5.

Clemson was No. 2 on the list behind its season-opening opponent, the LSU Tigers. The two teams will clash in the season opener at Clemson’s Death Valley on Aug. 30.

Given the year quarterback Cade Klubnik had in 2024 (3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns-to-six interceptions), and as many as five potential first-round picks in some way-too-early 2026 NFL mock drafts, Clemson will have its best all-around talent since the Tigers’ run of six straight College Football Playoff appearances in the four-team CFP era.

That batch includes junior and leading receiver Antonio Williams (75 catches, 904 yards), sophomores Bryant Wesco Jr. (41 catches, 708 yards) and T.J. Moore (45 catches, 651 yards), and Southeast Missouri State transfer Tristan Smith (76 catches, 934 yards).

Clemson football schedule 2025

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• Aug. 30: vs. LSU (7:30 p.m., ABC)
• Sept. 6: vs. Troy (3:30 p.m., ACC Network)
• Sept. 13: at Georgia Tech (12 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN)
• Sept. 20: vs. Syracuse
• Oct. 4: at North Carolina
• Oct. 11: at Boston College
• Oct. 18: vs. SMU
• Nov. 1: vs. Duke
• Nov. 8: vs. Florida State
• Nov. 14: at Louisville (8 p.m., ESPN)
• Nov. 22: vs. Furman
• Nov. 29: at South Carolina (12 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN)

“Clemson boasts several players who should hear their name called early in next year’s draft, like defensive linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. The offensive line is seasoned and solid. Plus, Dabo Swinney added three transfers – gasp! – who buoy the two-deep. There’s plenty to like, plus a clear path to the playoff from the ACC.”