Clemson Named a Surprise Dark Hose for College Football Playoff

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The Clemson Tigers are flying under the radar for the upcoming season.

After a 7-6 finish in 2025, voters didn't put the Tigers in the rankings for the Associated Press' preseason poll. 

What does that actually mean? Nothing. Clemson can prove they belong in the rankings by playing games on the field, and the Tigers can immediately springboard in the rankings by going on the road to beat LSU in Week 1.

Brad Crawford of CBS Sports named Clemson as a college football program that comes into the season unranked with a good chance to surprise everyone and make the CFP.

He notes that the Clemson's opener against LSU will tell us a lot about where the program is at, but head coach Dabo Swinney has a couple of ACC contests against Miami and Virginia Tech that could put the Tigers back in contention. 

"Win or lose, how the Tigers respond to the result of their season opener at LSU could determine this team's overall value," Crawford wrote. On one hand, it's a major change for Clemson to take back some of that national recognition with an upset of Lane Kiffin's team on the road.

"On the other, a loss doesn't necessarily wreck the campaign unless Week 1 issues prove uncorrectable and show up again against Miami, Virginia Tech and others in league play."

Crawford likes that Swinney feels like he's up against the wall, which could force the Tigers to play with an edge this season. In addition, he likes the return of offensive coordinator Chad Morris. 

With that being said, he's worried about Clemson's reluctance to adapt, noting that Swinney has been living off the past for too long.

No one knows what Clemson will do this fall, which makes them one of the more fascinating teams in the sport this year. 

Swinney should get the benefit of the doubt based on his past, but recent history would suggest he's bit off more than he can chew for this year.

The Tigers final record will come down to how Christopher Vizzina and/or Tait Reynolds play at quarterback this season. A decision that fully rests on Swinney when he chose not to entertain the transfer portal for competition at quarterback.

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