North Carolina at Clemson Week 3 College Football Matchup North Carolina at Clemson Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 19 2026 · Week 3 · 🏟 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC · Turf · 81,500 cap
North Carolina✈ 230 miSame TZ
VS
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
North Carolina
16
Clemson
30
P&R Line Clemson -14.5
P&R Total O/U 46
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Clemson has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Clemson entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Clemson wins
Lean
Game Control
67.1%
Clemson wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Clemson · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Clemson 2nd straight Home Game
North Carolina 2026 Schedule
North Carolina's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29North Carolina vs TCU+7.550.5
Sat 9/12North Carolina vs East Tennessee State-20
Sat 9/19North Carolina at Clemson+14.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3North Carolina vs Notre Dame+27
Sat 10/10North Carolina at Pittsburgh+14.5
Sat 10/17North Carolina at Duke+11
Sat 10/24North Carolina vs Syracuse-7
Sat 10/31North Carolina vs Miami+23.5
Sat 11/7North Carolina at UConn+7
Sat 11/14North Carolina vs Louisville+12.5
Sat 11/21North Carolina at Virginia+12.5
Sat 11/28North Carolina vs NC State+6.5
Clemson 2026 Schedule
Clemson's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Clemson at LSU+11.551.5
Sat 9/12Clemson vs Georgia Southern-19.5
Sat 9/19Clemson vs North Carolina-14.5
Fri 9/25Clemson at California-2
Sat 10/3Clemson vs Miami+11
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Clemson vs Charleston Southern-30
Sat 10/24Clemson vs Virginia Tech-13.5
Sat 10/31Clemson at Florida State+0.5
Fri 11/6Clemson at Syracuse-14
Sat 11/14Clemson vs Georgia Tech-6
Sat 11/21Clemson at Duke-1
Sat 11/28Clemson vs South Carolina-5.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Clemson PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Clemson
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Clemson
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Clemson
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
North Carolina #119
+0.173
Clemson #55
+0.369
Clemson Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
North Carolina #92
+0.401
Clemson #58
+0.477
Clemson Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
North Carolina #91
0.148
Clemson #9
0.196
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Clemson Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
North Carolina #108
+6.011
Clemson #59
+7.373
Clemson Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
North Carolina #115
+0.752
Clemson #67
+0.833
Clemson Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
North Carolina #62
70.7
Clemson #39
69.7
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Clemson Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Clemson Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
North Carolina #73
-0.1
Clemson #28
8.2
Offense Rating
North Carolina #67
15.8
Clemson #42
18.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
North Carolina #72
15.9
Clemson #22
9.8
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Clemson Edge
Avg sequences created per game
North Carolina #120
0.55
Clemson #65
1.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
North Carolina #63
1.00
Clemson #15
0.50
Clemson +0.46
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Clemson Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
North Carolina #113
32.1
Clemson #28
47.6
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
North Carolina #115
55.7
Clemson #69
38.0
Clemson +15.6
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
North Carolina
Bill Belichick #103
4–8 (33%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Bobby Petrino Yr 1 #18
DC Stephen Belichick Yr 2 #61
Staff Rating
2.83 #61
Clemson
Dabo Swinney #29
186–53 (78%) · Yr 18 at school
OC Chad Morris Yr 1 #67
DC Tom Allen Yr 2 #16
Staff Rating
3.24 #31
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself