Back in the spring and summer, Clemson at North Carolina looked like one of the ACC’s headline games of the year: Dabo Swinney against Bill Belichick as the fall leaves begin to change. One coach with multiple national titles vs. another coach with six Super Bowl rings.
Fast-forward to October, and it’s something else entirely: a matchup between two teams who have disappointed, with fans and the public at large tuning in mostly to see what might go wrong and who bottoms out.
Clemson is 1-3 for the first time in two decades. UNC (2-2) has been blown out by two Big XII teams, is dealing with quarterback uncertainty and is dangerously close to losing a big chunk of the fan base disgruntled that the Belichick experiment hasn’t produced more significant early payoffs.
Saturday’s high noon game at Kenan Stadium could be a turning point for one of the two clubs — or another reminder that both programs are stuck in neutral. ACC pillow fight anyone?
ARE YOU READY FOR WEEK #6?
DAVID GLENN & CHRIS EDWARDS get you ready #UNC #CLEMSON & Shares Thoughts about #NCState + #DaveDoeren long-term 😇or👿
WATCH https://t.co/MCXtrsv5f7
LISTEN https://t.co/Mcdv46Ujso
READ at https://t.co/DrOLN7Wu8A 🐖#NCPork pic.twitter.com/rNIkGgOFgB — NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK (@TheNCSportsNet) October 1, 2025
Vitals: When is the Clemson at UNC Game?
🏈 Matchup: Clemson (1-3, 0-2 ACC) at UNC (2-2, 0-0 ACC)
🏟️ Stadium: Kenan Stadium | Chapel Hill, NC
⏰ Kickoff: Saturday, Noon ET
📺 TV/Streaming: ESPN
🧾 Line: Clemson -14 (opened -13.5)
📅 Last Meeting: Clemson 31, UNC 20 (Nov. 18, 2023 at Clemson)
What’s at Stake
- Clemson: Halting the free fall, getting into the ACC win column at last. The Tigers entered the year as conference favorites and College Football Playoff probables but have dropped three games already, including conference losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse.
- UNC: Showing any signs of life and progress. It’s been surprising how uncompetitive the Heels have been against their two P4 opponents (and UCF isn’t a great P4). One long-time UNC beat writer said this week the Tar Heels offense was the worst he’s seen this century. Yikes.
UNC Storylines
- QB Uncertainty: Starter Gio Lopez (leg injury vs UCF) is week-to-week. Veteran Max Johnson has been a great story as he works back from his own 2024 injury woes, but Belichick has been coy about reps since UCF. Lopez has only 3 TDs against 3 INTs this year, while Johnson has shown flashes leading TD drives in Lopez’s stead.
- Offensive Struggles: UNC ranks 15th in the ACC in scoring (21.0 ppg) and dead last in total offense (263.5 ypg). Even No. 16 Stanford is nearly 70 yards per game ahead.
- Fan Patience Wearing Thin: GM Michael Lombardi preached patience this week and said the rebuild is longer-term, pointing to a top-20 2026 recruiting class as the focus. But with millions invested in Belichick, fans aren’t buying patience. And does a high-school heavy approach even work anymore in college football? Isn’t that the knock on Dabo?
- Bright Spots: RB Demon June (250 yards), WR Jordan Shipp (193 yards, 2 TDs) and kicker Rece Verhoff (5-for-5 on FGs) have been reliable. UNC’s defense does have 4 INTs. And the Heels have won two games — one more than Clemson.
Clemson Storylines
- Stunning Start: At 1-3, it’s Clemson’s worst start in two decades. Losses to LSU, Georgia Tech and Syracuse have fans asking hard questions about Dabo’s future and his determination to hold onto old ways that may not work anymore. Even the lone win vs. Troy was shaky early.
- Star Power: WR Bryant Wesco Jr. leads the ACC in receiving (97.3 ypg, 5 TDs). Adam Randall is third in the league in all-purpose yards (130.5 ypg). Talent is still there, even if results aren’t.
- Klubnik Comeback? Clemson QB Cade Klubnik had his coming out party against UNC in the 2022 ACC title game, torching the Heels in relief of DJ Uiagalelei (20 of 24 passes for 279 yards, 2 TDs, highlight-reel pass reception on a trick play). But he has been less than stellar in 2025. Can he get back on track against the Heels?
- Motivation: This was supposed to be a showcase against Belichick. Now it’s survival mode — but the Tigers remain a two-touchdown favorite.
Series History
- Clemson has won six straight over UNC.
- Last Tar Heel victory came in 2010 (21-16 at home)
- They’ve met twice in the ACC Championship since then — both Clemson wins in Charlotte.
- UNC Is 19-40-1 all-time against the Tigers, dating back to 1897. The Heels are 11-16-1 at home.
Prediction
Clemson has talent even in a down year. UNC has questions everywhere and hasn’t shown much offensive spark. Massey Ratings call for a 38-24 Clemson win. Most media agree with that margin or more. We see a get-right game for Dabo and the Tigers, with much of the UNC fan base officially cementing their mental transition to basketball season after the final whistle.
Pick: Clemson 34, UNC 17
