ESPN Thinks Clemson Has Legitimate Shot to Win ACC, Make CFP

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The Clemson Tigers are in prove-it mode this summer after finishing with a 7-6 record last season.

There are good reasons to worry about the Tigers, as the offense has notable questions with the offensive line and quarterback. The inexperience of Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds is a legitimate worry for Clemson, as most College Football Playoff contenders have made sure to have an elite quarterback for the upcoming season.

Many in the national media have predicted the Tigers to finish fourth in the ACC this year behind Miami, Louisville, and SMU. ESPN's football power index shows a different outcome for Clemson.

Behind Miami, Clemson has a 11.9-percent chance of winning the ACC and a 22.3-percent chance of making the CFP. The Tigers have a 2.1-percent chance of making the national championship and a 0.6-percent chance of winning a title.

Those are good odds for the Tigers, given the pessimism that has surrounded Dabo Swinney's program this offseason.

Swinney has been steadfast in his belief that the 2025 campaign was an aberration for Clemson. He believes the Tigers' history of winning championships is enough for people to have belief in the direction of the program.

"We've won 11 (ACC) championships in the last 15 years, and then you have a season like last year, and that's what everyone wants to focus on," Swinney said at the ACC Kickoff media event earlier this month, via Brett McMurphy of On3. 

"We're 151-7 when we lead in the fourth quarter, and 2 of those 7 (losses) were last year."

The Tigers have a tough opener against LSU in Week 1, but they have a legitimate chance to make a run to the CFP via their ACC schedule. 

Clemson's toughest conference test will come at home against Miami on Oct. 3, but really outside of Virginia Tech, the Tigers should be a clear favorite in the rest of their ACC contests.

The winner of the battle between Reynolds and Vizzina should gain confidence by the time Clemson plays Miami. And the Tigers could turn the heads of the CFP selection committee by making the ACC championship.

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