This prominent national college football writer likes Clemson’s chances to claim the ACC crown once again in 2025.

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic recently ranked each defending conference champion in terms of their chances to repeat as champion this season.

Mandel limited his list to the Power 4, and among those teams, he ranked Clemson as the most likely to win its conference again.

“The Tigers won last year’s ACC by the skin of their teeth, sliding into the title game only when Miami got upset at Syracuse, then edging SMU on Nolan Hauser’s 56-yard field goal. But this year’s team appears to be the clear top of the class,” Mandel wrote. “Cade Klubnik is one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks, and Antonio Williams is one of the best receivers. The D-line, led by T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, could be dominant, and I expect new DC Tom Allen to have a big impact.”

Should Clemson capture the ACC title in 2025, it would mark the ninth conference championship in 11 seasons for Dabo Swinney’s program dating to 2015.

“That’s not to say Miami and SMU can’t contend as well,” Mandel added, “but if it’s Clemson vs. the field, I’ll take Clemson.”

As for the other reigning Power 4 conference champs, Mandel ranked Georgia as the next-most likely to repeat, though Madel noted that one “feels less certain,” as do all the others except Clemson.

Mandel ranked Oregon below Georgia, and then Arizona State as the least likely to repeat.

After the primetime showdown against LSU on Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m., ABC), and then a home date against Troy on Sept. 6, Clemson will open its 2025 conference slate at Georgia Tech on Sept. 13.