He's known for SEC bias, but Paul Finebaum just gave Clemson a shocking endorsement.
SEC Analyst Paul Finebaum Says Clemson Will Be 'Incredibly Difficult to Beat' in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
CLEMSON, SC – Get ready for a major shift in the college football landscape, because even one of the SEC's most vocal proponents is singing Clemson's praises! Paul Finebaum, the renowned SEC Network analyst, has delivered a striking endorsement, declaring Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers a rising program that will be "incredibly difficult to beat" in the upcoming 2025 season!
Finebaum, who famously recalled Clemson's "absolutely abysmal" 34-3 loss to Georgia in Week 1 of 2024, now sees a vastly different picture for the Tigers. After a significant comeback that saw them win the ACC Championship with a last-second field goal against SMU and return to the College Football Playoff in 2024, Clemson is poised for an even bigger leap.
So, what's behind Finebaum's surprising confidence? The numbers tell a compelling story of a program reloading for a championship push:
NATION'S BEST RETURNING PRODUCTION: Clemson leads the entire country, bringing back a staggering over 80% of its overall production from last season. This means a roster brimming with proven talent.
HEISMAN-CALIBER QB: Cade Klubnik is back after an impressive 2024 campaign, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He's primed to lead an explosive offense.
DEFENSIVE STACKED: The Tigers' defense features elite returning talent, including College Football Network's top 100 players like defensive tackle Peter Woods, edge rusher T.J. Parker, linebacker Sammy Brown, and cornerback Avieon Terrell.
GAME-CHANGING DC: Clemson significantly bolstered its coaching staff with the hire of Tom Allen, the former Penn State defensive coordinator. Allen led PSU's defense to elite rankings in 2024 (No. 7 total, No. 8 scoring defense), a stark contrast to Clemson's 2024 defensive rankings (No. 69 total, No. 42 scoring). His arrival is expected to provide a "significant boost."
This combination of returning firepower, a dynamic quarterback, and a revamped defense has Finebaum convinced. The Tigers will get an immediate test to prove him right, kicking off their season with a crucial, prime-time showdown against the LSU Tigers at home on August 30th at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Paul Finebaum rarely offers such high praise outside of his beloved SEC. His endorsement serves as a clear warning shot to the rest of college football: Clemson is back, and they're bringing a team that will be "incredibly difficult to beat."
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
