This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq as Ranking college football's surprise teams in 2025, per Phil Steele. With the historic expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the race for the national championship has opened up in a way it never has been before.

Will Clemson return to the College Football Playoff or play in a non-CFP bowl game for the fourth time in five years? Here are five projections.

Marquise Hendeson was dismissed from Clemson football June 19. He was involved in an alleged locker room incident 3 days prior, according to records.

The rankings made plenty of sense, but I couldn't help but notice that the top eight coaches on the list all work for some of the richest, most well-supported programs in the country. There are some epic pressures associated with leading these programs -- just ask Day -- but there are also major advantages.

Dabo Swinney cites team standards and discipline as the reason behind the Clemson Tigers’ dismissal of 4-star freshman Jadyn Henderson.

Beamer and the Gamecocks will look to build upon the successes of their 2024 season in hopes of reaching their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. South Carolina's 2025 season will begin in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 31st against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Two of the highest-ranked freshmen in College Football 26 are members of Dabo Swinney's 2025 Clemson Tigers team.