The Science Says Clemson: Josh Pate Declares the Tigers National Champs — in May
It’s only May, but according to Josh Pate, college football’s biggest spoiler alert has already been issued.
In a monologue that straddled satire and conviction, the host of Josh Pate’s College Football Show delivered what he called “science” to predict the winner of the national championship for the 2025 season. And the result? It’s not Georgia. It’s not Ohio State. It’s not even one of Vegas' top four favorites.
It’s Clemson.
“Great news if you want to save yourself the time — or maybe win some money betting on it at FanDuel,” Pate said. “Terrible news if you don’t like spoilers. We know who’s going to win the national championship this upcoming year… The Clemson Tigers.”
What Pate called “science” is actually a trend-based formula. And it’s hard to argue with the data. Five of the last six national champions have led the nation in first-round picks in the subsequent NFL Draft. Seven of the last eight champs had the most total draft picks. In other words, future NFL talent isn’t just an indicator — it’s a roadmap.
So, Pate did what any self-respecting football theorist would do: he turned to the gospel of the offseason — mock drafts.
“If this were merely my opinion, I’d probably keep it to myself,” Pate joked. “But we have science on our side here.”
Aggregating mock drafts from ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Fox Sports, PFF, The Athletic, and others, Pate arrived at a number: 3.2 projected first-round picks for Clemson in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s more than Ohio State, more than Georgia, more than Texas or Alabama. More than anyone.
“So this is it, guys,” Pate said. “I assume they’re going to win the ACC. They’ve got pretty good odds. They’re the favorite to win the ACC. But nationally? They’re not even in the top six at FanDuel. That’s how undervalued this team is.”
Pate was quick to point out that this is not about personal bias. In fact, he’s betting on Clemson — literally.
“I’ve already wagered on this,” he said. “I don’t want to tell you how much, that would be unethical, of course, but I have already wagered on this. It’s almost unfair.”
The Tigers, he argues, have NFL-caliber talent that just hasn’t been fully appreciated yet. Players like defensive tackle Peter Woods, offensive lineman Blake Miller, linebacker Barrett Carter, and receiver Antonio Williams — among others — are showing up consistently in early-round projections.
There’s also the Cade Klubnik factor. Entering his third year under center, Klubnik has flashed enough promise to suggest he could be the engine behind a Playoff run, especially under the microscope of NFL scouts.
Of course, the risk in mock draft science is obvious. Players can get hurt. Prospects can regress. Seasons can collapse under pressure. Last year’s preseason favorite, Michigan, topped the mock draft boards only to finish the real draft with a whimper after their stars underperformed or missed time.
But Pate is unfazed.
“If it feels like a down year, history has come to teach you at a place like Georgia, you can expect a bounce back,” he said. “But if that happens, they’ll have to disprove science to do it. And what kind of academic institution is ready to fly in the face of science around here?”
In trademark fashion, Pate wrapped up his prediction with a qualifier — just in case.
“If it doesn’t come to pass, as I’ve told you many times… I just want the credit. I don’t want the blame. Who wants blame? Blame is lame. It’s the reason they rhyme.”
So mark it down. May 1, 2025: Josh Pate called the Clemson Tigers as national champions — not because he wanted to, but because, in his words, science made him do it.
Do you think Clemson has the NFL talent to back up Pate's bold proclamation?