ESPN has unveiled its initial SP+ rankings for the 2026 college football season, and the Clemson Tigers landed in the top 25.
Clemson is ranked No. 23 in Bill Connelly’s early 2026 projections. The Tigers are one spot below the Iowa Hawkeyes and one spot ahead of rival South Carolina.
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In fact, Connelly believes that both the Tigers and Gamecocks might be due for bounce-backs seasons in 2026 after disappointing seasons a year ago.
“SP+ rightly told you to sell your Clemson and South Carolina stock last season, but both might be positioned to rebound a decent amount, especially if new offensive coordinators turn out to be solid hires. I really didn’t like Clemson bringing back Chad Morris in that regard, but new South Carolina playcaller Kendal Briles certainly has a better recent track record than the guy he’s replacing (Mike Shula).” –Bill Connelly, ESPN.com.
The SP+ rankings take four primary factors into account. The biggest is returning production. In Clemson’s case, defensive lineman Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown are returning stars on defense. While the Tigers are breaking in a new quarterback in Christopher Vizzina, T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. return at wide receiver.
“Recent history,” “recent recruiting,” and “coaching change effects” are other factors in ESPN’s SP+ rankings. Clemson finished 7-6 last season after entering 2025 ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP poll. It was the latest in an overall downturn for the program from its pre-NIL and transfer portal self.
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On the recruiting front, Clemson has never topped the industry rankings the way programs like Alabama, Ohio State and LSU frequently have. However, coach Dabo Swinney’s incoming 2026 class was ranked No. 19 nationally by ESPN after National Signing Day. 247Sports had the Tigers’ class at No. 20.
ACC football teams ranked worst to first in initial ESPN SP+ 2026 ratings
Sep 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the ACC logo on an end zone pylon during the game between the SMU Mustangs and the Baylor Bears at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Among ACC teams, Clemson placed second in the conference in ESPN’s initial rankings behind the Miami Hurricanes.
Here’s a look at ACC teams ranked 1-17 in ESPN’s initial SP+ rankings for 2026.
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17. Stanford Cardinal (-1.9 overall rating, 75th nationally)
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16. Boston College Eagles (-1.5 overall rating, 74th nationally)
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15. Syracuse Orange (-0.7 overall rating, 69th nationally)
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14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3.6 overall rating, 58th nationally)
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13. California Golden Bears (3.7 overall rating, 56th nationally)
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11. NC State Wolfpack (4.9 overall rating, 48th nationally)
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9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6.0 overall rating, 43rd nationally)
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8. Pitt Panthers (6.5 overall rating, 41st nationally)
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7. Virginia Cavaliers (6.6 overall rating, 40th nationally)
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5. Virginia Tech Hokies (9.4 overall rating, 32nd nationally)
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4. SMU Mustangs (10.9 overall rating, 28th nationally)
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3. Louisville Cardinals (11.0 overall rating, 27th nationally)
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1. Miami Hurricanes (21.0 overall rating, eighth nationally)
What are ESPN SP+ rankings?
According to Connelly, SP+ is “simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”
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“SP+ is not a résumé ranking, so it does not automatically give credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system does,” he adds.
Clemson football schedule 2026
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Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern
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Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina
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Oct. 17: vs. Charleston Southern
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Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech
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Oct. 31: at Florida State
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Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech
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Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football lands in ESPN SP+ top 25 rankings entering 2026
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