Charlotte, North Carolina, July 31, 2025
News Summary
Clemson University’s football team has been named the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title, receiving 167 first-place votes from over 180 media members. As the reigning champions, Clemson aims to build on a successful previous season, with head coach Dabo Swinney at the helm and star quarterback Cade Klubnik expected to be a key player in their pursuit of another championship. The 2025 ACC Championship Game is scheduled for December 6, with fans eager to witness the team’s performance.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Clemson University’s football team has been named the preseason favorite to win the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title. This announcement follows a voting process involving over 180 media members during the ACC Football Kickoff event.
The Tigers, who are the reigning ACC champions, concluded a successful 2024 season with an overall record of 10-4 and an impressive 7-1 conference performance. Their championship triumph last season added to their legacy and enthusiasm heading into 2025.
Clemson’s accomplishments last year included securing a spot in the College Football Playoffs for the seventh time, finishing the season ranked No. 11 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 14 in the Associated Press Poll. These achievements contributed to their commanding presence in the first-place voting for the preseason rankings.
In the media poll, Clemson received a significant 167 first-place votes out of a total of 183 cast, highlighting their status as favorites. Miami followed in the rankings with 7 first-place votes, while Florida State garnered 4. Both SMU and Georgia Tech each took home 2 first-place votes, with Virginia Tech rounding out the list with 1.
Preseason Poll Results
The top teams in the preseason media poll are as follows:
- Clemson: 167 votes – 3083 points
- Miami: 7 votes – 2679 points
- SMU: 2 votes – 2612 points
- Georgia Tech: 2 votes – 2397 points
- Louisville: 2370 points
- Duke: 1973 points
- Florida State: 4 votes – 1920 points
- North Carolina: 1611 points
- Pitt: 1571 points
- NC State: 1505 points
- Virginia Tech: 1 vote – 1412 points
- Syracuse: 1381 points
- Boston College: 953 points
- Virginia: 871 points
- California: 659 points
- Wake Forest: 576 points
- Stanford: 426 points
Championship Game Details
The 2025 ACC Championship Game is slated to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 6, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clemson looks to build upon its past successes and continue a dominance in the conference.
Historical Context
Clemson has been selected as the ACC preseason champion 10 times in the past 13 seasons, marking a total of 16 overall selections. The Tigers enjoyed six consecutive years of being picked as favorites from 2018 to 2023. Last season, they triumphed over SMU in the ACC Championship Game, further solidifying their stronghold in the league.
Head coach Dabo Swinney will lead the Tigers again in 2025, and they are expected to see strong contributions from returning star quarterback Cade Klubnik, who is being touted as a potential candidate for the ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
The Tigers’ preseason practices will commence shortly, and the team is set to appear at the ACC Football Kickoff event on July 24, 2025. As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, supporters are eager to see how this storied program continues to evolve and succeed.
Key Features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Preseason Favorite | Clemson received 167 first-place votes |
| Past Achievements | Defending ACC champions, 10-4 record in 2024 |
| Championship Game | December 6, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium |
| Head Coach | Dabo Swinney |
| Key Player | Cade Klubnik, potential preseason player of the year |
FAQ Section
What team is favored to win the 2025 ACC Football Championship?
Clemson University has been declared the preseason favorite to win the 2025 ACC Football Championship.
How many first-place votes did Clemson receive?
Clemson received 167 out of a total of 183 first-place votes during the preseason poll.
When is the 2025 ACC Championship Game scheduled?
The 2025 ACC Championship Game is set to take place on December 6, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.
Who is the head coach of Clemson?
The head coach of Clemson is Dabo Swinney.
Who is a standout player for Clemson going into the 2025 season?
Quarterback Cade Klubnik is highlighted as a key player and a potential candidate for the ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Clemson Tigers
- Wikipedia: Clemson Tigers football
- The Clemson Insider
- Google Search: Clemson football 2025
- ESPN Press Room
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Atlantic Coast Conference
- ACC Official Site
- Google News: ACC football 2025
- 247Sports: Clemson at ACC Football Kickoff
- Google Scholar: Clemson football
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