Clemson at Duke - 2026 Matchup Preview
Clemson logo

Clemson Tigers at Duke Blue Devils

Duke logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Wallace Wade Stadium - Durham, NC  (ACC)

 
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (186 - 53)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (30 - 15 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#24)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
DUKE is playing their 7th straight game
CLEM is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Clemson -1.5  (SP+ CLEM -3)
Projected Score: CLEM: 28 - DUKE: 27 (55)
CLEM Win prob: 50% | Cover: 47%
CLEM Travel: 238 miles
Blue Devils (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Manny Diaz (18 - 9)
Avg Score : 35 - 29 (32 - 31 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.8 - 5.2 (#50)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 6) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
 
Clemson's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Clemson at LSU+10
Sat 9/12 Clemson vs Georgia Southern-22
Sat 9/19 Clemson vs North Carolina-14
Fri 9/25 Clemson at California-5.5
Sat 10/3 Clemson vs Miami+10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Clemson vs Charleston Southern-35
Sat 10/24 Clemson vs Virginia Tech-14
Sat 10/31 Clemson at Florida State-0.5
Fri 11/6 Clemson at Syracuse-13.5
Sat 11/14 Clemson vs Georgia Tech-5
Sat 11/21 Clemson at Duke-1.5
Sat 11/28 Clemson vs South Carolina-5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Clemson's Schedule
Duke's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Duke vs Tulane-8
Sat 9/12 Duke at Illinois+8.5
Sat 9/19 Duke vs Stanford-14.5
Sat 9/26 Duke vs William & Mary-30.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 Duke at Georgia Tech+4.5
Sat 10/17 Duke vs North Carolina-10
Fri 10/23 Duke at Virginia+6.5
Sat 10/31 Duke vs Boston College-12.5
Fri 11/6 Duke at NC State+4
Sat 11/14 Duke at Miami+20
Sat 11/21 Duke vs Clemson+1.5
Sat 11/28 Duke at Wake Forest+3

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Duke's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
CLEM#55 (.19)42% (67)27.243% (81)2.99 (60)12443% (56)2683.8 (59)#42 (.11)37% (18)20.539% (41)36% (15)2.68 (9)42.11.21.3
DUKE#25 (.25)46% (30)34.645% (51)2.8 (99)13847% (20)2854.32 (26)#116 (.23)44% (98)29.443% (73)46% (119)4.39 (129)62.711.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
CLEM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
DUKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CLEM Offense1327.229.642.4%3.81.221392124268443%56%43%43%15%.19
DUKE Defense1429.431.343.8%4.391.7 - - - - - 48%50%43%46%17%.23
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CLEM Defense1320.515.437%2.681.3 - - - - - 42%57%39%36%20%.11
DUKE Offense1434.632.246%4.321234241382854.344%55%45%47%15%.25

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Clemson1331:012134%56%4.442.11.21.36.52.6130.3
Duke1429:4322.539%74%6.462.711.76.71.9331.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
CLEM Offense1343% (121)43% (81)31.5124.5420 (99).1 (75)2.99 (60)72% (71)9% (47)0.91 (90)
DUKE Defense1448% (49)43% (73) - - - - .1 (68)2.62 (19)73% (85)12% (14)1.03 (101)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
CLEM Defense1342% (1)39% (41) - - - - .03 (29)2.68 (27)83% (127)11% (20)0.94 (60)
DUKE Offense1444% (112)45% (51)32.4138.24.326 (60).08 (85)2.8 (99)69% (85)10% (79)0.97 (65)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CLEM Offense1356% (18)43% (56)23.836.5267.87.311.322 (30)7 (88).28 (58)1.5 (98)29% (28)28% (90).21 (102)6% (86)1.8 (122)
DUKE Defense1450% (86)46% (119) - - - - - - 14 (22).41 (125)1.6 (107)32% (56)34% (123).44 (128)6% (86)2 (77)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CLEM Defense1357% (136)36% (15) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (48)1.7 (119)37% (6)28% (51).23 (48)8% (7)2 (80)
DUKE Offense1455% (21)47% (20)2436.1285.47.911.934 (14)6 (7).39 (24)1.6 (44)30% (39)33% (37).4 (30)6% (55)2.2 (13)

Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 13.01  #29
Clemson's Offense Rating: 16.54  #38
Clemson's Defense Rating: 8.53  #26
2026 Talent Rating: 956.00  #21
Blue Chip Ratio: 42%  #13
Clemson's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
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 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 13.01   Duke: 9.58

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 9.5   Duke: 6.6




Duke's Power Ratings
Duke's Power Rating: 9.58  #48
Duke's Offense Rating: 18.54  #29
Duke's Defense Rating: 15.98  #69
2026 Talent Rating: 818.00  #55
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #64
Duke's 2026 Expected Record: 6.8 - 5.2
Duke's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.6  #44
Duke's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.8  #19
Duke's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.2  #86

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Clemson Scoring
Offense: 27.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.6
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 15.4

Clemson'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 28
Duke 27

Projected Total Points: 55
Duke Scoring
Offense: 34.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.2
Defense: 29.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 31.3

Duke'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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/01Clemson45Duke46Clemson -4.5Duke55.5Over
202309/04Duke28Clemson7Clemson -12.5Duke54.0Under
201811/17Clemson35Duke6Clemson -29.5Duke59.0Under
201211/03Duke20Clemson56
200811/15Clemson31Duke7
200711/03Duke10Clemson47
200511/05Clemson49Duke20
200411/13Duke16Clemson13
200311/15Clemson40Duke7
200211/02Duke31Clemson34
200112/01Clemson59Duke31
200009/29Duke22Clemson52
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Duke331 Overs
Clemson902 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams7 - 51 - 20 - 21 - 0
Road Teams5 - 72 - 10 - 12 - 0

(#29) CLEM at (#48) DUKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatCLEMDUKE
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #29 #48
SP+SP+ #34 #44
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #21 #55
Blue ChipsBC% #13 #64
Clemson Notes
(3/1) Vibes: Falling: bad LY, roster reset, OC hire is ?
(3/1) Dabo era feels stale. OC Morris again? Show hope
(3/1) Did win final 4 RS games & signed 10 portals
(1/29) QB Vizzina started vs SMU & balled out. Depth?
(1/29) RB Davidson was OK, Johnson (SMU) good add
(1/29) WR still loaded w Moore, Wesco. Smith poss back
(1/29) OL only 2 back, replace both OTs. Talent but big ?
(1/29) DL boost w Heldt back. 2 Portal DTs but have ?
(1/29) LB have Brown and some other exp. Talent lacks
(1/29) DBs have some good exp'd options + CB Hampton
Clemson Injury Report
Duke Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Solid, Diaz won ACC, Mensah loss a blow
(2/7) DC Patke? Def has gotten worse each year
(2/6) QB Eget (SJSU) still needs waiver to play in '26
(2/6) RB Sheppard back, one of ACC's best in '25
(2/6) WR lots of ? Two G5/FCS adds only w real exp
(2/6) TE Hasley a good weapon and really good blocker
(2/6) OL has 2 back, added 2 starters. Looks decent
(2/6) DL has ?, lots of limited exp, nothing obvious
(2/6) LBs good unit w Mergott. Have some depth
(2/6) DBs torched in '25, added 5 portals, lots of exp
Duke Injury Report
Clemson on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffDUKE Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #67 #98
ExplosiveExp #70 #120
PPAPPA #55 #116
PowerPwr #38 #69
SP+SP+ #65 #86
Pts POPPO #59 #129
HavocHav #59 #36
Clemson Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffDUKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #81 #73
Run ExplRExp #90 #101
PPAExp #75 #68
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #60 #19
Stuff RateStuff #49 #11
TackleTak - NR
Clemson Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffDUKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #56 #119
Pass ExplPExl #98 #107
PPAExp #58 #125
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #14
DB HavocDB #86 #86
Duke on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatDUKE OffCLEM Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #30 #18
ExplosiveExp #30 #122
PPAPPA #25 #42
PowerPwr #29 #26
SP+SP+ #19 #24
Pts POPPO #26 #9
HavocHav #67 #9
Duke Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
DUKE OffCLEM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #51 #41
Run ExplRExp #65 #60
PPAExp #85 #29
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #99 #27
Stuff RateStuff #115 #16
TackleTak - NR
Duke Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatDUKE OffCLEM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #20 #15
Pass ExplPExl #44 #119
PPAExp #24 #48
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #79 #20
DB HavocDB #55 #7
Program Comparison
DUKE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Wallace Wade Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Duke beat Clemson last year (46-45)
Duke beat Clemson in 2023 (28-7)

  
CLEM's OC Chad Morris (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Christopher Vizzina457163%406415.7
Trent Pearman2540%35007.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)6747947.187
Gideon Davidson6026004.328
Chris Denson7108115.450
David Eziomume167104.419
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
T.J. Moore52837416.175
Bryant Wesco Jr.31537617.373
Christian Bentancur20215310.845
Tyler Brown2219108.723

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sammy Brown10714665
Corey Myrick (Tr)915014
Jerome Carter763022
Ronan Hanafin642004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Will Heldt46156102
Sammy Brown10714665
Jaheim Lawson197443
London Merritt (Tr)238130
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ashton Hampton453108
Sammy Brown10714665
Branden Strozier211005

DUKE's OC Jonathan Brewer (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Walker Eget (Tr)23239359%30581797.8
Ari Patu (Tr)489551%517545.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nate Sheppard2001132115.760
Ari Patu (Tr)4413313.025
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Walker Eget (Tr)339602.913
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jared Richardson (Tr)8010331212.976
Javen Nicholas (Tr)60740512.364
Jeremiah Hasley40454611.456
Nate Sheppard3728617.720

View Duke's Full Roster

DUKE's DC Jonathan Patke (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Luke Mergott918293
DaShawn Stone862013
Patrick Smith-Young (Tr)701003
Landan Callahan420002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliott Schaper162200
Luke Mergott918293
Kendall Johnson373142
Tyshon Reed233110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Flowers (Tr)331004
Luke Mergott918293
Patrick Smith-Young (Tr)701003