Clemson’s win over North Carolina gave the Tigers a little momentum, but not enough to force their way into the AP Top 25 just yet. The better takeaway from the weekend was the way the rest of the ACC sorted itself out, especially with Miami still sitting clearly ahead of the pack.
Miami should be in the top five this week. The Hurricanes have been the conference’s best team by a wide margin, and the weekend results only sharpened the picture behind them.
Louisville’s win over SMU pushed the Cardinals into the driver’s seat for the chase to Charlotte, while SMU is still hanging around in the mix. Virginia may have been a bit overrated, though Virginia Tech is the team worth watching a little more closely.
The ACC could still shake out as a two-team race, but there’s also a path where the league trims itself down through its own losses. Miami was tested at times by Wake Forest on Friday night, yet it still came out on top as the stronger team. Louisville’s head-to-head tiebreaker over SMU could end up mattering when the conference title picture comes into focus.
For Clemson, the names to circle on the schedule are Virginia Tech and Duke. The Hokies are still probably a week or two away from breaking into the rankings, even if they are moving in the right direction under James Franklin. South Carolina, meanwhile, had its shot to get ranked and missed by losing to Mississippi State.
Duke also deserves attention after beating Stanford, even if that was only a win over a struggling opponent. Manny Diaz has the Blue Devils at 3-0, and Clemson will see them in Durham on a Friday night during the penultimate week of the season. Pitt is still unbeaten after three weeks, but Duke is the team more worth trusting right now, and it is the one that actually sits on Clemson’s schedule.
So while Clemson can feel good about taking down North Carolina, the Tigers still have a long way to go before they look like a true top-25 team this fall.
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Tait Reynolds Just Entered Rare Clemson Company In His First Start
Tait Reynolds did what few Clemson quarterbacks have managed in more than half a century, stepping into his first career start and helping the Tigers rally past North Carolina. The true freshman handled the moment with poise, completing 20 of 29 passes for 215 yards while adding a touchdown, an interception and 26 rushing yards in a debut that gave Clemson a needed lift.
The win put Reynolds in rare company alongside names that matter around Clemson for very different reasons, including Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence and DJ Uiagalelei. For a program that has spent years weighing its future at quarterback, Reynolds debut offered an encouraging glimpse of what the next chapter might look like, even if there is still plenty left to sort out. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Has A Chance To Build Real Momentum Before Miami
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For Clemson, the bigger picture matters as much as the opponent. A win here would add to the momentum the Tigers are trying to build and keep them in a strong position as they look ahead to a much bigger measuring-stick game with Miami. The challenge is obvious: handle a cross-country road game, avoid a letdown, and leave with the kind of result that can make the first month of the season feel more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson's Miami Showdown Just Picked Up Another Reason To Watch Cal
Clemsons October 3 trip to Miami is still waiting on a kickoff assignment, and the hold on the game means the timing will not be settled until after this weeks matchups. For now, the matchup looks headed for either a noon start or a 7:30 p.m. window on ABC, with that late slot still available.
The Tigers Friday night visit to California could end up mattering beyond the record book, because the result may help shape where the Miami game lands in the networks lineup. For Clemson, that adds a little extra significance to a cross-country game already carrying plenty of attention before the Canes even come into focus. [Read more 🡒]