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As Clemson football enters the 2025 season, the national buzz has returned in full force. The Tigers are drawing positive attention in preseason projected rankings, and with an opener against LSU at Death Valley, the spotlight is squarely on Dabo Swinney’s program once again. But for Swinney, heightened expectations aren’t anything new; in fact, they’re part of the fabric at Clemson.
Asked about the renewed optimism surrounding his team and the elevated preseason hype, Swinney didn’t flinch.
“We’ve been a target around here for a long time,” Swinney said. “Whether people talk bad about you or talk good about you, it doesn’t matter. Expectations are always high here, always have been. They’re (games) all big. If you don’t believe that, just lose one. You’ll find out how big they are at Clemson.”
The Tigers know firsthand that every game matters. Swinney referenced the massive attention on the LSU opener but reminded that every Saturday brings its own pressure.
“Everybody’s going to talk a lot about the LSU game. Lose to Troy and you’ll find out how big Troy is. Expectations are high every single year; it’s just a part of being at Clemson. Some years they talk good about you, some years they talk bad about you, but that doesn’t have anything to do with expectations. They’re still going to be high at Clemson. That’s just a part of it. We embrace that.”
Last season, Clemson shook off a tough opener against Georgia and rebounded to finish 10-4, winning the ACC Championship and reaching the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Cade Klubnik led the offense with 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, while receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore emerged as dynamic threats for the Tigers. Williams led the way with 904 yards and 11 touchdowns, with Moore and Wesco Jr. combining for over 1,300 yards and 10 scores themselves.
On the defensive side, Swinney and the Tigers added veteran coordinator Tom Allen, whose experience and aggressive approach are expected to keep Clemson’s defense among the nation’s best. The Tigers return one of the most talented defensive lines in college football, anchored by All-ACC defensive end T.J. Parker (11 sacks) and disruptive tackle Peter Woods.
Swinney is quick to point out that preseason praise and media narratives mean little once the season starts.
“As I always tell these guys, headlines this time of year are all based on opinions and potential. The headlines that matter are the ones written on performance, and those are the ones that ultimately matter in the end.”
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Avg/Catch | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio Williams | 75 | 904 | 12.1 | 57 | 11 |
| Bryant Wesco Jr. | 41 | 708 | 17.3 | 76 | 5 |
| T.J. Moore | 45 | 651 | 14.5 | 41 | 5 |
Last season, Clemson faced five teams ranked in the top 15 at the time of play, opening the year against No. 1 Georgia. Despite that tough start, a 34-3 loss, the Tigers responded, ultimately capturing the ACC Championship to earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. A road loss at No. 5 Texas in the playoffs closed the season, but that performance laid the foundation for this year’s optimism.
For Swinney, the key to managing expectations is an inward focus.
“It’s fun to talk about a lot of good stuff. That’s what makes college football really cool—so much passion, interest, narratives, storylines, predictions, and all that’s part of it, and it’s fun. In the end, for us, what does our performance say? What did we earn? We’re going to earn the headlines that matter.”
With another loaded roster—returning stars like Klubnik and a receiving corps full of playmakers, plus an elite defensive front and a proven coordinator in Allen, Clemson enters 2025 not just hoping for national relevance, but expecting to contend on the biggest stage. As Swinney has made clear, the only headlines that matter are the ones earned on the field.
