Fresh off a bye, Clemson heads to North Carolina looking to get its season back on track on Saturday at noon. The 1-3 Tigers have lost their first two ACC games, and making a run at the conference title seems out of reach right now.
Instead, they’re just looking to pick up a win and get out of Chapel Hill against a team that is 0-2 against FBS opponents this season. UNC (2-2) is also coming off a bye and is playing its first ACC game under new head coach Bill Belichick.
According to Clemson’s sports information department, this is the second time ever that a college football coach with multiple national championships (Dabo Swinney) will face a coach with multiple Super Bowl victories (Belichick).
Clemson leads the overall series against the Tar Heels 40-19-1, including a record of 16-11-1 in Chapel Hill. The Tigers have won six consecutive showdowns with UNC, including a 31-20 victory in 2023.
Best of one. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/KDkeN8eFam
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 3, 2025
Availability
Clemson expects to have all starters available for Saturday’s game. Offensive lineman Eliyah Thurmon is the only player ruled out who is expected to contribute in the near future.
North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez and offensive lineman Aidan Banfield are listed as questionable for Saturday.
Check back with Rubbing The Rock later for injury updates.
Our leaders for Game Five. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/T176hof8B4
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 2, 2025
Tiger time
Where: Keenan Stadium, Chapel HIll, N.C.
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Kickoff time: Noon
Where to find the game: ESPN
Predictions
Zach Lentz: North Carolina controls the pace, frustrates Clemson with a bend-don’t-break defense, and capitalizes on late miscues. Until the Tigers prove otherwise, betting on them feels like buying fool’s gold.
Final score: UNC 27, Clemson 20
Brad Senkiw: As bad as Clemson has looked this season, North Carolina appears to be worse…way worse. Now, the Tigers were supposed to handle Syracuse at home, and that went the other way, but with an extra week to prepare and rally the troops, Swinney should be able to pick up the team’s first ACC win this week. UNC’s defense is a huge liability, so expect Cade Klubnik and Adam Randall to push an inspired Clemson past the Heels.
Final score: Clemson 31, North Carolina 13