Clemson vs North Carolina Prediction Football Picks Today 9/19/26

In this article we will formulate a Clemson vs North Carolina prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 19th at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 3 matchup. 

Clemson Tigers Betting Preview

The Clemson Tigers are 1-1 this season after they defeated Georgia Southern by a score of 22-7 last week. Clemson led 16-7 at halftime, but they managed just two field goals in the second half in the win. The Tigers out gained their opponent by a total of 347-266, went 2-14 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Tait Reynolds threw for 178 yards, while TJ Moore caught seven passes for 103 yards and one score. Gideon Davidson rushed 14 times for 62 yards in the win. 

Prior to that game, Clemson lost to LSU by a score of 51-10 in their first game. The Tigers have scored 16.0 points per game with 151.0 passing yards and 95.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 29.0 points against per game this season. Tait Reynolds has thrown for 200 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while TJ Moore has 11 receptions for 134 yards and one score this season. 

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-0 this year after they defeated East Tennessee State by a score of 35-3 in their last game. North Carolina led 21-0 at halftime and they added 14 points in the third quarter, but lost the cover in the fourth. The Tar Heels out gained ETSU by a total of 427-255, went 5-9 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Billy Edwards Jr threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while Jelani Thurman caught four passes for 71 yards and one score. Benjamin Hall rushed four times for 49 yards in the win. 

Prior to that game, North Carolina defeated TCU by a score of 15-10 in week zero. The Tar Heels have scored 25.0 points per game with 249.0 passing yards and 125.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 6.5 points against per game this season. Billy Edwards Jr has thrown for 476 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while Jelani Thurman has caught eight passes for 165 yards and one score this year. 

Why the Clemson Tigers will win

• Clemson has won 46 of its last 51 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• North Carolina has lost eight of its last 10 games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Clemson has covered the spread in five of its last six games against teams from North Carolina.
• Clemson has won the first quarter in 12 of its last 15 September games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• Clemson has won the first half in 30 of its last 33 September games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• Clemson has lost four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina has won three of its last four games in September.
• Clemson has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 12 games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• The underdog has covered the spread in five of Clemson’s last six games.
• Clemson has lost the first half in four of its last five games in September.
• North Carolina has won the first quarter in three of its last four games in September.

Total Points Facts

• Each of North Carolina’s last four games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of Clemson’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Clemson Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Nolan Hauser ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for made field goals (6) this season.

North Carolina Tar Heels Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Xavier Lewis ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for sacks (4.0) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Clemson ranks 136th among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (11.1).
• Clemson ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards per game this season (246.0).
• North Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• North Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).

Clemson vs North Carolina Prediction 

Clemson comes into this matchup as a small favorite, but they were blown out by LSU and looked awful against Georgia Southern. The Tigers are having major offensive issues and the quarterback is a problem. North Carolina didn’t look great against TCU, but they found a way to win and their defense has been elite through two games. I don’t love either coach in this game, but I can’t back Clemson with how they are passing the ball. Take North Carolina on the road.