Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers will be tested at the start of the 2025 season, as they will take on the LSU Tigers in their opening game on Aug. 30. In the latest episode of the “Cover 3 College Football” podcast, CFB analyst Austin Hannon opined that head coach Swinney will be criticized if Clemson loses its season-opener against the SEC powerhouse.
CBS Sports College Football’s Instagram page posted Hannon’s view on Clemson on Monday. For Hannon, the Tigers’ success will depend on their performance in the SEC litmus test.
“Anything below 11-1 feels like a disappointment,” Hannon said. “I mean, they went 9-3 last year, that was a disappointment. So if LSU goes into Clemson Death Valley this fall and wins that game convincingly in Week 1, I think there’s gonna be some negative talk around Dabo Swinney’s program and there probably should be.”
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Hannon added that the pressure is on Clemson to start its season with a victory, as the game against LSU will be played on its home field. Anything less than a win will be a disappointment for Dabo Swinney’s team.
“That’s a game I would say that they not necessarily expect to win, but you’ve got it on your home field. And if you think that you’re a national title contender and LSU thinks that they’re probably a national title contender, somebody’s gotta lose that game,” Hannon added.
The analyst noted that Clemson still has a favorable schedule as it plays in the ACC. One game that the Tigers should look out for, though, is the road showdown against Louisville on Nov. 14.
Who will Dabo Swinney’s Clemson face in the 2025 season? A look at the Tigers’ schedule
Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers will open their 2025 campaign with back-to-back home games. After hosting LSU in Week 1 on Aug. 30, Clemson will face Troy at home in Week 2 on Sept. 6. The Tigers will then go on the road in Week 3 to face Georgia Tech on Sept. 13.
They will return home for a Week 4 clash against Syracuse on Sept. 20. Two consecutive road games follow Clemson’s bye week, with the Tigers facing North Carolina on Oct. 4 and Boston College on Oct. 11.
The Tigers will return to Memorial Stadium for a three-game home stand. They will host SMU on Oct. 18, Duke on Nov. 1, and Florida State on Nov. 8. Swinney’s team will then travel to Louisville to face the Cardinals on Nov. 14. Clemson will conclude its schedule with a home game against Furman on Nov. 22 and an away showdown against South Carolina on Nov. 29.
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