Where Clemson lands in College Football News’ 2026 ACC predictions

Clemson football heads into the 2026 season with tempered expectations, at least according to College Football News.

The outlet set the Tigers’ win total at 7.5 and has Dabo Swinney’s team finishing 7-5, pointing to a schedule filled with uncertainty outside of a couple of clear matchups. Only games against Charleston Southern and Georgia Southern were labeled as “almost certain wins,” while the opener at LSU and a home contest against Miami were viewed as “likely losses.” Everything in between falls into the 50/50 category.

That leaves little room for error. Road trips to Cal, Duke, and Florida State, along with home games against Virginia Tech and South Carolina, will go a long way in determining whether Clemson can outperform that projection or fall right in line with it.

CFN made it clear that how Clemson starts the season could shape everything that follows.

“If ever a team needed to get off to a big start, it would be the 2026 Clemson Tigers,” the outlet wrote. “They desperately need a shot of life from jump, and nothing would bring it more than beating LSU.”

If that happens, the path looks very different.

“They win that, pull off the win at home over Miami, and survive a blip somewhere … on the way to the ACC Championship.”

But the margin is thin, and the downside is just as realistic.

“The Tigers lose to the other Tigers, can’t handle the road trip to Cal … lose to Miami, and that’s basically it,” CFN noted.

“There’s a second half run to get to a restaurant-quality bowl, but it’s Clemson, that’s not what you’re shooting for.”

Games against LSU, Miami, and Florida State stand out as the ones most likely to swing the season, especially with so many others viewed as toss-ups. If Clemson can flip a few of those in its favor, the record could look much different. If not, another uneven season could be on the table.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Where Clemson stands College Football News’ ACC predictions 2026