North Carolina at Clemson - 2026 Matchup Preview

North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Tigers

Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Clemson, SC

Tar Heels (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bill Belichick (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 19 - 25 (18 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#96)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

CLEM 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Clemson -12 (SP+ CLEM -16)
Projected Score: UNC: 17 - CLEM: 29 (46)
CLEM Win prob: 79% | Cover: 45%
UNC Travel: 230 miles

Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (186 - 53)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (28 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
UNC Players
CLEM Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

North Carolina's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/29	North Carolina at TCU	+11.5
Sat 9/12	North Carolina vs East Tennessee State	-22.5
Sat 9/19	North Carolina at Clemson	+12
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3	North Carolina vs Notre Dame	+25
Sat 10/10	North Carolina at Pittsburgh	+11.5
Sat 10/17	North Carolina at Duke	+8
Sat 10/24	North Carolina vs Syracuse	-9
Sat 10/31	North Carolina vs Miami	+22
Sat 11/7	North Carolina at UConn	-1
Sat 11/14	North Carolina vs Louisville	+9
Sat 11/21	North Carolina at Virginia	+12
Sat 11/28	North Carolina vs NC State	+5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for North Carolina's Schedule

Clemson's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Clemson at LSU	+11
Sat 9/12	Clemson vs Georgia Southern	-22
Sat 9/19	Clemson vs North Carolina	-12
Fri 9/25	Clemson at California	-5.5
Sat 10/3	Clemson vs Miami	+12
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17	Clemson vs Charleston Southern	-32
Sat 10/24	Clemson vs Virginia Tech	-13.5
Sat 10/31	Clemson at Florida State	+1.5
Fri 11/6	Clemson at Syracuse	-13.5
Sat 11/14	Clemson vs Georgia Tech	-4.5
Sat 11/21	Clemson at Duke	-2
Sat 11/28	Clemson vs South Carolina	-2

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UNC	#119 (.07)	38% (115)	19.3	38% (121)	2.72 (110)	105	39% (98)	184	3.33 (108)	#78 (.18)	41% (60)	24.5	42% (64)	40% (50)	3.58 (61)	62.6	1.3	1
CLEM	#55 (.19)	42% (67)	27.2	43% (81)	2.99 (60)	124	43% (56)	268	3.8 (59)	#42 (.11)	37% (18)	20.5	39% (41)	36% (15)	2.68 (9)	42.1	1.2	1.3

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UNC		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
CLEM		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UNC Offense	12	19.3	17.5	38.2%	3.33	1.3	17	289	105	184	3.7	48%	50%	38%	39%	17%	.07
CLEM Defense	13	20.5	24	37%	2.68	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	42%	57%	39%	36%	20%	.11

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UNC Defense	12	24.5	23	40.9%	3.58	1	-	-	-	-	-	47%	51%	42%	40%	15%	.18
CLEM Offense	13	27.2	28	42.4%	3.8	1.2	21	392	124	268	4	43%	56%	43%	43%	15%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
North Carolina	12	28:24	16.6	37%	73%	6.6	62.6	1.3	1	5.1	2.6	0	29.3
Clemson	13	31:01	21	34%	56%	4.4	42.1	1.2	1.3	6.5	2.6	1	30.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UNC Offense	12	48% (83)	38% (121)	28.8	105.2	3.7	11 (107)	-.03 (130)	2.72 (110)	64% (114)	11% (111)	0.8 (127)
CLEM Defense	13	42% (1)	39% (41)	-	-	-	-	.03 (29)	2.68 (27)	83% (127)	11% (20)	0.94 (60)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UNC Defense	12	47% (36)	42% (64)	-	-	-	-	.14 (91)	2.72 (37)	89% (134)	10% (70)	0.99 (88)
CLEM Offense	13	43% (121)	43% (81)	31.5	124.5	4	20 (99)	.1 (75)	2.99 (60)	72% (71)	9% (47)	0.91 (90)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UNC Offense	12	50% (58)	39% (98)	18.9	29.6	183.9	6.2	9.7	13 (121)	6 (34)	.21 (92)	1.5 (103)	31% (56)	28% (92)	.26 (85)	6% (55)	1.8 (130)
CLEM Defense	13	57% (136)	36% (15)	-	-	-	-	-	-	9 (55)	.19 (48)	1.7 (119)	37% (6)	28% (51)	.23 (48)	8% (7)	2 (80)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UNC Defense	12	51% (103)	40% (50)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (75)	.2 (51)	1.4 (17)	31% (76)	29% (61)	.32 (78)	5% (90)	2 (51)
CLEM Offense	13	56% (18)	43% (56)	23.8	36.5	267.8	7.3	11.3	22 (30)	7 (88)	.28 (58)	1.5 (98)	29% (28)	28% (90)	.21 (102)	6% (86)	1.8 (122)

North Carolina's Power Ratings
North Carolina's Power Rating: 4.57 #45
North Carolina's Offense Rating: 10.85 #67
North Carolina's Defense Rating: 11.28 #32
2026 Talent Rating: 1006.00 #13
Blue Chip Ratio: 17% #29
North Carolina's 2026 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
North Carolina's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.6 #91
North Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.2 #123
North Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.0 #58

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
North Carolina: 4.57 Clemson: 11.22

SP+ Ratings Matchup
North Carolina: -6.6 Clemson: 9.5

Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 11.22 #33
Clemson's Offense Rating: 12.26 #59
Clemson's Defense Rating: 9.32 #22
2026 Talent Rating: 870.00 #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 52 #12
Clemson's 2026 Expected Record: 7.4 - 5.6
Clemson's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.5 #34
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5 #65
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.9 #24

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

North Carolina Scoring
Offense: 19.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.5
Defense: 24.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 23

North Carolina's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Clemson 29
North Carolina 17

Projected Total Points: 46

Clemson Scoring
Offense: 27.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 28
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Clemson's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	10/04	North Carolina	10	Clemson	38	Clemson -15.5	Clemson	47.5	Over
2023	11/18	Clemson	31	North Carolina	20	Clemson -7.5	Clemson	58.0	Under
2022	12/03	North Carolina	10	Clemson	39	Clemson -7.5	Clemson	64.0	Under
2019	09/28	North Carolina	20	Clemson	21	Clemson -27.5	North Carolina	61.0	Under
2015	12/05	Clemson	45	North Carolina	37	Clemson -6.5	Clemson	67.5	Over
2014	09/27	Clemson	50	North Carolina	35	Clemson -10	Clemson	0
2011	10/22	Clemson	59	North Carolina	38
2010	10/09	North Carolina	21	Clemson	16
2006	09/23	Clemson	52	North Carolina	7
2003	10/25	Clemson	36	North Carolina	28
2002	11/09	North Carolina	12	Clemson	42
2001	10/20	Clemson	3	North Carolina	38
2000	10/20	North Carolina	24	Clemson	38

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Clemson	11	5	2 Overs
North Carolina	2	1	3 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	7 - 6	4 - 2	3 - 0	1 - 2
Road Teams	6 - 7	2 - 4	2 - 1	0 - 3

(#45) UNC at (#33) CLEM

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	UNC	CLEM
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#45	#33
SP+SP+	#91	#34
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#13	#31
Blue ChipsBC%	#29	#12

North Carolina Injury Report

Clemson Injury Report

North Carolina on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	UNC Off	CLEM Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#115	#18
ExplosiveExp	#121	#122
PPAPPA	#119	#42
PowerPwr	#67	#22
SP+SP+	#123	#24
Pts POPPO	#108	#9
HavocHav	#94	#9

North Carolina Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	UNC Off	CLEM Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#121	#41
Run ExplRExp	#127	#60
PPAExp	#130	#29
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#110	#27
Stuff RateStuff	#67	#16
TackleTak	-	NR

North Carolina Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	UNC Off	CLEM Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#98	#15
Pass ExplPExl	#103	#119
PPAExp	#92	#48
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#111	#20
DB HavocDB	#55	#7

Clemson on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	UNC Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#67	#60
ExplosiveExp	#70	#62
PPAPPA	#55	#78
PowerPwr	#59	#32
SP+SP+	#65	#58
Pts POPPO	#59	#61
HavocHav	#59	#91

Clemson Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	UNC Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#81	#64
Run ExplRExp	#90	#88
PPAExp	#75	#91
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#60	#37
Stuff RateStuff	#49	#99
TackleTak	-	NR

Clemson Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	UNC Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#56	#50
Pass ExplPExl	#98	#17
PPAExp	#58	#51
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#47	#70
DB HavocDB	#86	#90

Program Comparison
CLEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Remains Average P4

UNC 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
Clemson beat North Carolina last year (38-10)
Clemson beat North Carolina in 2023 (31-20)

UNC's OC Bobby Petrino (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Billy Edwards	7	16	44%	113	0	0	7.1
Miles O'Neill (Tr)	7	14	50%	120	1	2	8.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Demon June	84	464	2	5.5	50
Benjamin Hall	71	274	2	3.9	18
Trech Kekahuna (Tr)	14	129	1	9.2	61
Jaylen McGill	7	19	0	2.7	7

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jordan Shipp	60	671	6	11.2	55
Trech Kekahuna (Tr)	26	211	0	8.1	45
Demon June	17	159	1	9.4	72
Jordan Washington (Tr)	7	109	1	15.6	32

View North Carolina's Full Roster

UNC's DC Stephen Belichick (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Melkart Abou-Jaoude	47	12	11	5	0
Kaleb Cost	45	2	0	0	5
Isaiah Johnson	37	3	2	1	0
Leroy Jackson	34	0	0	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS
Melkart Abou-Jaoude	47	12	11	5
Isaiah Johnson	37	3	2	1
Jaylen Harvey (Tr)	9	2	1	1
Xavier Lewis	8	1	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Kaleb Cost	45	2	5
Jaiden Patterson	33	2	5
Coleman Bryson	16	0	2

CLEM's OC Chad Morris (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Christopher Vizzina	45	71	63%	406	4	1	5.7
Trent Pearman	2	5	40%	35	0	0	7.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)	67	479	4	7.1	87
Gideon Davidson	60	260	0	4.3	28
Chris Denson	7	108	1	15.4	50
David Eziomume	16	71	0	4.4	19

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
T.J. Moore	52	837	4	16.1	75
Bryant Wesco Jr.	31	537	6	17.3	73
Tristan Smith	24	239	1	10.0	23
Christian Bentancur	20	215	3	10.8	45

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5
Corey Myrick (Tr)	91	5	0	1	4
Ronan Hanafin	64	2	0	0	4
Will Heldt	46	15	6	10	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Will Heldt	46	15	6	10	2
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5
Jaheim Lawson	19	7	4	4	3
Champ Thompson	3	1	1	1	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Ashton Hampton	45	3	1	0	8
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5
Branden Strozier	21	1	0	0	5