ESPN predicts the final score of Clemson vs. Charleston Southern

The Clemson Tigers are in a two-week stretch of not playing a conference game. Following a bye week, Dabo Swinney's team returns to action in Week 7 of the 2026 college football against Charleston Southern. Clemson is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. Charleston Southern, a member of the Ohio Valley

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What is the story about?

The Clemson Tigers are in a two-week stretch of not playing a conference game. Following a bye week, Dabo Swinney's team returns to action in Week 7 of the 2026 college football against Charleston Southern.

Clemson is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. Charleston Southern, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in the FCS ranks, is 3-3.

Clemson is coming off a 41-10 loss to the Miami Hurricanes in Week 5 that once again highlighted how ineffective the Tigers' offensive line has been this season. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds was sacked six times, and the Tigers allowed nine tackles for loss in the loss to Miami.

In spite of that, Reynolds had his best game statistically in his three starts. He threw for 295 yards and completed 29 of his 44 passes.

Bryant Wesco Jr. caught nine of Reynolds' passes for a game-high 152 yards. Aside from that, there wasn't much to get excited about.

The Tigers return to ACC play on Oct. 24 when they host the Virginia Tech Hokies and first-year coach James Franklin.

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📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co https://t.co/O368jxflnb pic.twitter.com/QpnGFS0ph2
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 14, 2026

In the meantime, here's ESPN's final score prediction for Clemson in Week 7.

ESPN's final score prediction for Clemson football vs. Charleston Southern

Ahead of Clemson-Charleston Southern, ESPN's Bill Connelly predicted the final score using his popular SP+ metrics. Connelly has the Tigers winning by more than 30 points, which is in line with what oddsmakers are saying.

Connelly's final score prediction: Clemson 33, Charleston Southern 5.

He gives the Tigers a win probability of 98%.

Where Clemson football sits in ESPN SP+ rankings entering Week 7

Clemson is No. 61 in the ESPN SP+ team rankings, down seven spots from before the loss to Miami.

The Tigers have an overall rating of 2.2, down from 4.9 a week ago. Clemson is one spot below Minnesota (2.9) and one spot ahead of Purdue (1.6) in ESPN's team rankings.

To break down Clemson's rating by units, SP+ gives the Tigers a 22.6 rating on offense (No. 97 nationally, down six spots from Week 5) and a 20.7 rating on defense, which is 30th nationally and is down four spots from before the Tigers' loss to the Hurricanes. In special teams, Clemson is given a 0.3 rating, which ranks 14th in the nation.

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."

"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 vs. Charleston Southern: start time, TV channel for Week 7

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📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co https://t.co/3j2yRlLNqW pic.twitter.com/iJ2Jxt5T7d
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 14, 2026

Kickoff for Clemson-Charleston Southern in Week 7 of the 2026 college football season is noon ET Saturday at Clemson Memorial Stadium. The game can be seen on ACC Network. Roxy Bernstein and Dave Clawson will have the call of the game. Madison Hock will report from the sidelines.

Additionally, the Clemson Athletic Network feed of the game featuring Tigers radio voices Don Munson and Tim Bourret can be heard on SiriusXM channel 248.