Is Paul Finebaum in or out on Clemson running the table in 2025?

The ESPN personality weighed in on that question this week.

Finebaum joined SportsCenter to discuss whether he thinks Clemson can go 16-0 this season, and he says he’s not buying that the Tigers can go unbeaten.

Of course, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney made headlines recently for his statement in an article published by ESPN’s Chris Low on Aug. 4, with Swinney quoted as saying, “I’ve had one undefeated team. In 2018, we were the first 15-0 team in the history of major college football — ever. And I think we’re going to be the first 16-0 team. It’s a race to do that.”

A couple of days after Low’s article came out, Swinney reacted to the article, calling it “click-bait” and saying his comments were taken “so out of context.”

Regardless, in light of Swinney’s comments, Finebaum was asked if he thinks Clemson can finish this season with a perfect record.

“I am out [on Clemson going 16-0]. But I am kind of in on him saying that,” Finebaum said of Swinney. “What is he supposed to say? ‘I think we’re going to go 10-6.’ Of course he’s going to say that.

“But he has a reason to say this for the first time in a long time – how about since Trevor Lawrence was down in Death Valley. Because this is his best team since that moment in time. They are complete. The defensive line is elite. They are going to get to the playoffs, and I think they’re going to get very deep.”

Although Finebaum has praised Clemson quite a bit this offseason, he still doesn’t believe the Tigers have what it takes to win all of their games – and he doesn’t see Swinney’s program capturing its first national title since 2018.

“But Dabo, please, 16-0? That’s not happening, because you’re not going to be the national champion,” Finebaum added.

16-0 aside — Clemson will simply try to start off 1-0 by winning its highly anticipated season opener against LSU on Aug. 30. Kickoff at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on ABC.