Clemson is right back where it belongs—squarely in the national spotlight. Phil Steele’s 2026 preseason top 25 has the Tigers checking in at No. 24, a sign that Dabo Swinney’s program is still a force to be reckoned with.
Landing at No. 24, Clemson finds itself in the thick of a loaded field, surrounded by some of its most storied rivals. The Tigers sit just behind the Florida Gators at No. 23 and one spot ahead of Florida State at No. 25. SMU is at No. 22, but let’s be honest—everyone in Tiger Town is already circling those showdowns with the Gators and Seminoles. Those are the games that get the blood pumping.
Phil Steele is giving the ACC its due this year, slotting four teams into his preseason top 25. Miami, now led by Mario Cristobal, leads the ACC pack at No. 9. Clemson will get its shot at two of those ranked conference foes this fall, preparing the way for some classic ACC battles that is able to shape the entire league race.
Go ahead and mark October 3 on your calendar. That’s when No. 9 Miami charges into Death Valley for its first trip to Clemson since 2022. Fast forward to Halloween, and the Tigers will be in Tallahassee for a primetime clash with No. 25 Florida State—a game that could very well decide who’s playing for the ACC crown.
It’s not just the ACC gauntlet that Clemson has to navigate. The Tigers open the 2026 season with a high-profile road trip to No. 21 LSU—a true test right out of the gate. And as always, the regular season wraps up with the Palmetto Bowl against archrival South Carolina, who sits at No. 16. Both games are massive statement opportunities for Dabo Swinney and company.
The preseason honors are loaded with Tigers. Sammy Brown landed on the Second-Team All-America list, while offensive lineman Brayden Jacobs picked up Fourth-Team honors. Nine Tigers made the cut for Phil Steele’s preseason All-ACC teams, with Brown leading the way as a First-Team selection. He’s joined by sophomore corner Ashton Hampton and junior receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.
Second-Team All-ACC honors went to Jacobs, wideout T.J. Moore, defensive lineman Will Heldt, and safety Jerome Carter. Offensive lineman Collin Sadler and defensive tackle Amare Adams rounded out the preseason recognition with Third-Team nods.
Complete Opponent Rankings and Regular Season Schedule
Make no mistake—Clemson’s 2026 schedule is a grind from start to finish. The Tigers will square off against a gauntlet of top-25 opponents, including LSU, Miami, Florida State, and South Carolina. North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech are all capable of pulling an upset if you’re not careful. The only breather comes against Charleston Southern, the lone FCS opponent and the only team not ranked in Steele’s FBS index.
Clemson has locked in dates and kickoff times for several early-season games. All times are Eastern.
- Sept. 5: at LSU, 7:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network
- Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina, noon, ESPN
- Sept. 25: at California, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
- Oct. 3: vs. Miami, TBA
- Oct. 17: vs. Charleston Southern, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech, TBA
- Oct. 31: at Florida State, TBA
- Nov. 7: at Syracuse, TBA
- Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech, TBA
- Nov. 20: at Duke, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina, TBA
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