Clemson is finally stepping into ACC play, and the opener comes with a quarterback change, an opponent in the middle of off-field turbulence, and a matchup that looks built for a grinder.
The Tigers host North Carolina on Sept. 19 at noon on ESPN, and this one has all the ingredients of a tight, low-scoring game. Clemson is 1-1 and looking for its eighth straight win over the Tar Heels. It will also be the second meeting between Dabo Swinney and Bill Belichick, after Clemson rolled to a 38-10 win last season.
The biggest Clemson storyline is under center. Freshman Tait Reynolds will make his first college start after Swinney moved Christopher Vizzina into the backup role.
Reynolds has already thrown for 200 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions in backup work, but now the spotlight gets much brighter. He’s shown flashes through his first two games, along with a few shaky decisions, and Clemson will need to keep the menu simple while he settles in.
That means better play up front, easy reads, and chances to use his legs.
Clemson’s offense has been slow out of the gate no matter who’s taking snaps. The Tigers have scored only two touchdowns in two games, and one of them came after a muffed punt handed them a short field against Georgia Southern. Against UNC, they’ll need more help from the offensive line than they’ve gotten so far.
North Carolina comes in 2-0, but the Tar Heels have dealt with plenty away from the field. Michael Lombardi resigned as general manager two weeks ago, and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has also resigned, with that move taking effect on Oct. 27 following his medical leave.
Wide receivers C.J. Sadler and Keeyun Chapman are out for Sept. 19 after a traffic stop that led to Chapman receiving a misdemeanor gun charge.
On the field, though, UNC has looked steady. Billy Edwards Jr. has thrown for 476 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and tight end Jelani Thurman has been a major weapon with eight catches for 165 yards and one score. The Tar Heels’ defense has also been sharp, giving up just one touchdown while ranking second in the ACC in sacks with seven and points allowed per game at 6.5.
That said, Clemson’s defense should have a real say in how this game plays out. The Tigers bounced back against Georgia Southern after a rough opener against LSU, and they’ll try to make UNC earn every yard.
Sammy Brown and Jeremiah Alexander help anchor things at linebacker, Elliot Washington II has three pass breakups, and Ashton Hampton has allowed just a 22.2 passer rating when targeted. Texas State transfer Devarrick Woods may also see more action at defensive tackle after emerging as Clemson’s best option there in a limited role.
UNC does bring pressure, and that’s the clearest path to an edge for the Tar Heels. Clemson’s offensive line has been a problem, and the numbers around the Tigers’ offense have been rough by Power Four standards. If Melkart Abou Jaoude can’t go because of a hand issue, UNC’s front loses a piece, but Xavier Lewis, with four sacks, and Jaylen Harvey, with two, still give the Tar Heels plenty of punch up front.
The injury report is crowded on both sides. Clemson lists Christopher Vizzina as probable and has Polo Anderson, Shavar Young Jr., Cole Turner, Peyton Streko, Keil McGriff, Hevin Brown-Shuler, Kourtney Kelly, Joseph Roberto II, Adam Guthrie, Mason Wade and Markus Strong out.
North Carolina lists Johan Rodriguez as probable, Melkart Abou Jaoude and Jordan Avinger as questionable, and C.J. Sadler, Viliami Moala, Jordan Washington, Keeyun Chapman, Carnell Warren, Vodney Cleveland and Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu as out.
Weather shouldn’t be much of a factor after Clemson’s first two games were delayed by inclement weather. The Weather Channel is calling for partly cloudy skies and only a 15% chance of precipitation at kickoff.
The prediction points to a field-position game rather than a shootout. Clemson 16, UNC 13.
Both teams lean on the run at a 48% rate or higher and neither side has shown much appetite for explosive passing plays, which should keep the clock moving and the scoring down. If Clemson’s defense stays sharp, the Tigers should get enough stops to let Nolan Hauser make a difference, even if the offense still leaves plenty of questions unanswered.
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Belichick Turns UNCs Clemson Collapse Into A Bigger Tar Heels Concern
Bill Belichick came away from North Carolinas loss to Clemson sounding less interested in the final score than in the late-game details that slipped through the Tar Heels fingers. Afterward, he pointed to missed chances on both sides of the ball in the closing minutes, gave Clemson credit for making the decisive plays, and framed the defeat as the kind of game his team has to learn from quickly if it wants to keep moving forward.
Belichick also walked through several of the turning points that shaped the finish, including a key fourth-and-one pass attempt and the penalties that helped stall UNCs effort. Those are the kinds of moments that tend to linger after a close loss, and for a Tar Heels team trying to tighten things up, the bigger concern may be how many of them came in the same stretch of the game. [Read more 🡒]
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Belichick has publicly denied reports that Hudson has been involved in managing the football program, making clear that she has no official role with the university. Even so, her continued visibility has kept her tied to one of the more unusual off-field storylines surrounding the Tar Heels, with the conversation around UNC stretching beyond wins and losses and into who is actually part of the programs orbit. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Malone's First UNC Team Faces Doubts Fans Won't Ignore
Michael Malone has spent the spring and summer trying to put his stamp on North Carolina, reshaping the roster since taking over in April with a mix of transfer additions and recruiting work. The early outlook is respectable but not exactly settling for a fan base that expects more, with ESPN slotting the Tar Heels fifth in the ACC and projecting a wide range of outcomes that starts with 28 wins and a Sweet 16 run.
There is enough talent to make the conversation interesting, with transfers Terrence Brown and Neoklis Avdalas joining returnee Jarin Stevenson and freshman Maximo Adams as players expected to help offensively. Still, the projection leaves plenty of room for skepticism, and for UNC the bigger question is whether Malone can turn a newly built roster into something that looks like a true contender before the season starts answering it for him. [Read more 🡒]