When the 2025 faculty soccer season started, the Clemson Tigers have been anticipated to be a nationwide championship contender. That they had what was regarded as a top-tier quarterback in Cade Klubnik, have been the No. 4-ranked crew within the nation and a head coach (Dabo Swinney) with a championship resume in a really winnable convention that he has principally dominated.
These nationwide championship goals for 2025 have been shattered simply a few weeks into the season. Now, after Saturday’s 35-24 loss to SMU, merely attending to a bowl sport could also be an issue for the Tigers as they proceed on what has been a very misplaced season.
Can Clemson even get to a bowl sport?
It looks like an insane query to ask given Clemson’s current program historical past, in addition to its preseason rating, however it’ll be considerably tougher than anyone would have anticipated earlier than the season for this crew to even get to bowl eligibility.
After Saturday’s loss, Clemson is 3-4, with its solely wins coming over Troy, North Carolina and Boston College, with the latter two being the one power-four convention wins on the schedule. Each groups are among the many worst Energy 4 groups within the nation.
For Clemson to get bowl eligible, it’ll must win no less than three of its remaining 5 video games.
The remaining groups on the schedule are Duke, Florida State,
Louisville, Furman and South Carolina.
Whereas none of these groups are presently ranked (that can most likely change on Sunday), it is nonetheless not a simple schedule. Particularly for a crew that has not proven it might probably beat even above-average competitors this season.
Duke and Florida State are no less than formidable opponents, whereas Louisville has emerged as a critical ACC contender, particularly after its Friday evening win over No. 2 Miami.
Furman must be a win, however then South Carolina is a season-ending rivalry sport the place something can occur.
If Clemson drops one among these subsequent two video games to the Blue Devils or Seminoles, it’ll put loads of stress on these remaining video games.
It’s an unimaginable fall for a crew that hoped to win a Nationwide Championship this season to simply be hoping for a visit to the Dangerous Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl or the Gasparilla Bowl. If they’re fortunate.
