Analysts Weigh in Clemson’s Win Total

Clemson’s over/under win total for the 2025 regular season is set at 9.5 wins.

So will the Tigers surpass, or fall short, of that mark?

During ESPN’s Get Up show, current college football analyst and former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel discussed whether he sees Clemson winning more or less than 9.5 games.

Manuel is taking the over on that number.

“I’m going more here,” Manuel said. “Look, the Tigers are going to have a really good defense. And anytime I played Clemson or covered Clemson’s teams, when they have a really good defense, they are championship ready to go. You look at Cade Klubnik as their quarterback, a lot of draft boards have him as the No. 1 or No. 2 guy. But I’ve watched this kid grow from a freshman. He’s won two conference championships in his tenure there. I’m expecting big things. And they have a really good young receiving corps, so I’ll say easily more [than 9.5 wins] for the Clemson Tigers.”

Clemson went 10-4 overall (9-3 regular season) in 2024 as the Tigers won their eighth ACC Championship in 10 seasons dating to 2015, while also earning their first College Football Playoff berth since the 2020 season and their seventh all-time CFP berth. 2024 marked Clemson’s 13th season with at least 10 wins under Dabo Swinney.

Heather Dinich, ESPN’s lead CFP insider, weighed in on Clemson’s potential this season.

“I agree with EJ. I think this is a team that could be very special,” Dinich said. “The defensive line might be the best in the country, and with Cade Klubnik coming back, this is a team that I thought last year was overrated. This year, I think they’re underrated. I’ve got them No. 2 preseason in my Top 25 behind Penn State.”

Dinich has Clemson starting the season 1-0 with a victory over LSU in the season opener on Aug. 30. The marquee matchup at Memorial Stadium is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.