CFB is just 3 months away, and the race to the 2025 playoff is already heating up. Although with the new 12-team format, the road is wider, going undefeated still punches the clearest ticket. That said, perfection is rare. Between conference shakeups and heavyweight nonconference matchups, it’s tough for any team to run the table. Still, a few have pulled it off: Georgia in 2022, Bama in 2020, Michigan in 2023, and LSU’s legendary run in 2019. So, who’s built to go the distance this year?

Let’s be clear — we’re not handing out an undefeated season just yet. But when you look at the schedule, roster, and coaching stability, Dabo Swinney‘s Clemson Tigers might just have the clearest path. Because they return 16 starters and sit atop the nation in returning production for 2025. Dabo Swinney has his squad locked in, and the ACC crown is well within reach.

Look, Cade Klubnik is back at QB, joined by dynamic weapons Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore. On defense, the firepower returns too — edge rusher T.J. Parker, wrecking ball Peter Woods, and LBs Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz are ready to wreak havoc. Given that, if any team’s built to go unbeaten, it’s this one.

The schedule? It’s no cakewalk — but the path is there. Clemson has a real shot to run the table in 2025. On May 8, elitecollegefootball (ECF) lit up Instagram with a bold claim: “Clemson has the clearest path to 12-0 I have seen so far this offseason.” That’s high praise — and not without reason. Their only real coin-flip games? A Week 1 battle vs. LSU, a trip to UNC, and the season-ending rivalry clash at South Carolina. Everything else leans in Clemson’s favor. So, with talent, momentum, and a manageable slate, this might just be the Tigers’ year to go perfect.

Look, although Clemson’s toughest test comes right out of the gate — a massive clash with LSU. But luckily for the Tigers, that showdown’s in Death Valley. And that home-field edge could be huge. Then the schedule favors Clemson where it matters most. Key matchups against FSU, Syracuse, Duke, and SMU all come at home. However, on the road? Louisville, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina could be tricky, especially early. But talent tips the scales in Clemson’s favor. Sure, upsets are possible. Tech might push them. Louisville and S. Cal won’t roll over either. But after a surprise playoff run in 2024, this team has momentum, depth, and belief. Don’t be shocked if the Tigers roar through 2025.

And it’s not just the schedule turning heads. According to ECF, Clemson is set to open the season as a Top 10 team. The hype is building — and the experts are buying in. Analyst Joel Klatt is all in on Dabo’s Tigers. With a stacked roster and serious momentum, he sees championship potential. “I think Dabo Swinney is going to have a group that is capable of winning the national championship. Clemson is really good. Dabo’s done it before—and I believe he’s about to do it again,” said Klatt. However, for Klatt, it all comes down to one thing: consistency. And under Swinney, Clemson has made that their brand.

While the CFP dream feels within reach, there’s even more reason to celebrate in Clemson. Dabo Swinney and his staff just scored big, with a massive $100,000 boost headed their way.

Clemson Tigers’ hefty payday

Dabo Swinney and his staff just scored a big win off the field. Thanks to their players’ success in the classroom, Clemson’s football staff earned a cool $100,000 in bonuses. However, the reward? A result of the Tigers posting a perfect single-year APR (Academic Progress Rate) score for 2023-24. Well, announced on May 6, the bonus will be shared among coaches, football operations, and key program staff. APR tracks player eligibility and retention across all Division I sports, and Clemson just aced the test.

Winning on the field is great, but this time, the classroom brought the cash. Yes, Clemson football just hit the academic jackpot. The Tigers posted a perfect APR score of 1,000 — unlocking a hefty bonus for Dabo Swinney and his staff. Because the team scored above 975, the full payout is on the table. Had the score landed between 950 and 974, the bonus would’ve dropped to $75,000. Now, it’s up to AD Graham Neff, in consultation with Swinney, to decide how the money gets split.

It’s clear: Clemson’s excellence isn’t just on the scoreboard — it’s in the classroom too. The Tigers posted an impressive multi-year APR score of 995, covering the 2020-21 through 2023-24 academic years. That places them 5th among all Power 4 programs and 2nd in the ACC. This achievement isn’t a fluke. On top of that, Clemson has ranked in the top 10 percent of all football programs nationally in 13 of the last 14 years. In fact, they’re one of only 3 FBS schools — alongside Air Force and Northwestern — to boast a 990+ multi-year APR in each of the last 6 reported cycles.

Now, it’s Clemson’s time to make a huge impact on the field this season.