Latest news with #2024CollegeFootballPlayoff
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Picks College Football Team Ending 5-Year Playoff Drought in 2025
The 2024 College Football Playoff featured six teams making their first appearances in the postseason tournament. Among the returning teams, the Oregon Ducks had the longest playoff drought, having last qualified in 2014, the inaugural year of the playoff. Advertisement The Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish ended their nearly five-year droughts, as neither team had participated since 2020. Meanwhile, several teams that have previously made the playoffs are hoping to return in 2025. These teams include the Oklahoma Sooners, who haven't made it since 2019, the Cincinnati Bearcats, who last appeared in 2021, the Florida State Seminoles, who have not qualified since 2014 and the LSU Tigers, who last played in 2019. All of them are eager to end their respective playoff droughts this season. On "The Paul Finebaum Show," the SEC Network analyst selected one of these teams to overcome their struggles and return to national title contention. LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts to a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Lew "Right now, I would have to think of LSU as a playoff team," Finebaum said. "It's crowded. In the SEC, you essentially have Texas, I believe you have Alabama, Georgia, LSU and who is next?" Advertisement The Tigers have high hopes for the upcoming season after finishing last season with a 9-4 record. They return 62% of their production, which ranks No. 38 in the nation. A key player returning is star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Additionally, LSU retains junior linebacker Whit Weeks and sophomore running back Caden Durham. Weeks led the team with 125 tackles and recorded 10 tackles for loss last season, while Durham rushed for 753 yards and scored six touchdowns as a true freshman. The Tigers also benefit from a favorable schedule as according to Athlon Sports, they have the No. 6 easiest schedule in the SEC. Finebaum highlighted the critical game for LSU as the matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels on the road on September 27. He also mentioned that LSU cannot afford to lose to the Florida Gators, as it did last season. The Tigers will kick off their season with a significant away game against the Clemson Tigers on August 30. Related: Paul Finebaum Says This Major SEC Team Is Top Tier — But Not the Best
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College football analyst expects a 'big year' for Clemson in 2025
Former ESPN college football analyst David Pollack has been open about his expectations for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers heading into the 2025 season. The 2024 ACC Champions took down SMU to earn the title and an automatic bid to the 2024 College Football Playoff, where the Tigers fell 38-24 to Texas in the first round. It was a solid run to the playoff for a Clemson team that had mixed expectations heading into the season. While the loss wasn't the result the Tigers were looking for, but a return to the CFP was something that fans were desperate for. Recently, Pollack discussed which coaches have the most to gain in the 2025 season during an episode of the David Pollack College Football show. One of the names who arose was Swinney, as Pollack has high expectations for the Tigers next season. Dabo Swinney adds another massive veteran addition to Clemson's staff — Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) February 11, 2025 Dabo, obviously there for a different reason. But I think Dabo's lost the luster, and people now question whether he is that guy. Dabo has two championships. Kirby has two. That's the list of active coaches that have two. Like, they are in a league of their own. Not wanting to adapt to the portal, but adapted to the portal a little bit. Not having a QB, finally got his QB. Not having receivers for a little while, finally got the receivers. I think that this year is going to be a big year for Clemson. For years, Swinney has been one of, if not the top head coach in college football. Entering year 18, Swinney has the most doubters he's had since he became the Tigers' head coach. He has another opportunity to prove himself in 2025 with a roster that is built to compete for a championship. Pollack's expectations are valid; Clemson should be a force in 2025. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: David Pollack says 2025 is going to be a 'big year' for Clemson
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Six candidates to replace Jim Knowles as Ohio State defensive coordinator
In case you missed the news of the day, a day in which the Ohio State football team celebrated its 2024 College Football Playoff national championship, it appears as though OSU defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles is leaving the program for Penn State. It's a blow, especially when a coach of his pedigree heads to a Big Ten rival right after a day to remember what he meant to the Scarlet and Gray. So, now, head coach Ryan Day will be tasked with finding a replacement during a time when there are a thousand other things going on, and when some candidates have already been gobbled up while the Buckeyes were finishing up a late run toward college football glory. It's anyone's guess where this thing will go, but we thought we'd throw out six names that might be on Day's wish list as he begins the search for a very, very important post on the coaching staff in Columbus. Put an asterisk next to this thing and don't think it's a list that Day is utilizing himself, because, as we've seen, sometimes the hires come off the radar and even make a bigger splash than what we can think of. Remember, Bill O'Brien came out of nowhere, and so too did Chip Kelly when he was looking for an offensive coordinator. Still, here are some names that make sense.
