Over the past few years, the Clemson football program has experienced its fair share of criticism.

One of its biggest detractors has been Paul Finebaum. The longtime and outspoken ESPN analyst has never passed up on an opportunity to take a shot at the Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney.

With that in mind, some of Finebaum’s comments during a recent episode of First Take surrounding Clemson and the upcoming season might take some by surprise.

Finebaum appears to be high on the Tigers heading into the 2025 season, predicting a return to the College Football Playoff.

“I think they’re a sure thing to get back,” Finebaum said. “They may even be a legitimate shot at winning a title. They have in my mind the best quarterback in the country in Cade Klubnik. They have an elite defense with perhaps three (first round) picks on there.”

Finebaum believes the Tigers have their best shot at competing for a national title since the 2019 season, which coincidentally was the last time Clemson appeared in the national championship game.

“Dabo Swinney, even though he’s fallen off the face of the earth for a while, he’s back now and I think this is his best team since his last national championship appearance in ’19.”