Clemson rises in national college football rankings entering Week 4

The Clemson Tigers' faithful may have a little bit more hope entering Week 4 of the 2026 college football season than this time a week ago. Clemson (2-1) rallied from an ugly start and a 14-point deficit in the first half to defeat North Carolina, 28-20, in its ACC opener at Memorial Stadium in Week

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What is the story about?

The Clemson Tigers' faithful may have a little bit more hope entering Week 4 of the 2026 college football season than this time a week ago.

Clemson (2-1) rallied from an ugly start and a 14-point deficit in the first half to defeat North Carolina, 28-20, in its ACC opener at Memorial Stadium in Week 3.

Tait Reynolds showed promise in his first career start. The four-star freshman out of Queen Creek, Arizona, was 20-of-29 for 215 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Tar Heels. He completed his final seven passes on the afternoon for 115 yards.

Running back Gideon Davidson ran for 105 yards, including the go-ahead 8-yard score with 5:01 to play. Clemson's defense also made big plays after a lengthy 2 1/2 hour weather delay.

Tom Allen's unit held

North Carolina to a field goal that kept it a one-score game in the fourth quarter, then forced a turnover on downs after the Tigers had taken their first lead of a long day inside Memorial Stadium.

Defensive back Elliot Washington Jr. intercepted a Billy Edwards pass on UNC's first drive to secure the victory. It was by no means the prettiest win under the circumstances, but it's hopefully one Clemson can build on moving forward.

in the meantime, the Tigers' victory over North Carolina saw them climb in the various college football rankings of every school in the Football Bowl Subdivision this week.

Clemson rises in USA TODAY Sports' college football rankings after come-from-behind win

In USA TODAY Sports' weekly NCAA football rankings, longtime college football voice Paul Myerberg has the Tigers at No. 54 overall, a 20-spot increase from last week.

Clemson is ranked one spot below Group of Six playoff hopeful Tulsa (3-0) and one spot ahead of Oklahoma State (2-1), which pulled one of the biggest upsets of the early season with a 39-31 upset win over Oregon in Week 2.

Interestingly, Clemson's spot in USA TODAY Sports' rankings is seven spots below the Tigers' Week 4 opponent, the California Golden Bears (2-1). Cal ranks No. 47.

The Tigers began the season ranked No. 25 in USA TODAY Sports' full 138 rankings, marking a 49-spot plunge in the first two weeks of the season before being lifted by the win over North Carolina.

Clemson football, Georgia make shocking decision to cancel future series

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Where CBS Sports ranks Clemson football after comeback over North Carolina

The updated 1-138 FBS college football rankings from CBS Sports, which had been a little more generous to the Tigers after their anemic performance in Week 2's 22-7 win over Georgia Southern, actually dropped Clemson this week.

CBS ranks the Tigers at No. 57 overall, a small two-spot slide from before the North Carolina game. Clemson ranks one spot below the San Diego State Aztecs (1-2) and one spot ahead of James Madison (3-0).

Clemson was No. 24 in CBS Sports' full 1-138 preseason rankings. They fell to No. 51 after the 41-point loss to LSU.

Clemson football sees jump in The Athletic's Power Four rankings after UNC win

Over at The Athletic (subscription required for full access), analyst Chris Vannini ranks the Tigers No. 52 in his full 1-college football team rankings for all 138 FBS programs. It's a nine-spot jump for Dabo Swinney's program.

"Clemson climbs back toward the top 50 after a comeback win against North Carolina," Vannini said.

Clemson was No. 33 in The Athletic's preseason rankings but fell 26 spots after the loss to LSU, plus two more spots after their Week 2 win over Georgia Southern.

Entering Week 4, the Tigers land between two ACC rivals in The Athletic's rankings: one spot below California and one spot ahead of North Carolina.

Clemson's Tait Reynolds is Freshman of the Week after leading comeback

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— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 21, 2026

Duke rises, Virginia falls among Week 4 ACC football team rankings

Here's where all 17 ACC teams sit in USA TODAY Sports' rankings for Week 4. In parentheses are where teams rank nationally among the 138 FBS schools, as well as how many spots they rose or fell among ACC schools from last week.

View last week's ACC football rankings from USA TODAY to see where teams ranked overall entering Week 3.

17. Stanford Cardinals (No. 106 nationally, down one spot)
16. Boston College Eagles (No. 98, up one spot)
15. Syracuse Orange (No. 83)
14. NC State Wolfpack (No. 73, down two spots)
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (No. 72)
12. Florida State Seminoles (No. 62, down three spots)
11. North Carolina Tar Heels (No. 56)
10. Clemson Tigers (No. 54, up four spots)
9. California Golden Bears (No. 47, up one spot)
8. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (No. 46)
7. Virginia Cavaliers (No. 38, down four spots)
6. Pitt Panthers (No. 33)
5. Virginia Tech Hokies (No. 24, up two spots)
4. SMU Mustangs (No. 21, down two spots)
3. Louisville Cardinals (No. 19, up two spots)
2. Duke Blue Devils (No. 16, up two spots)
1. Miami Hurricanes (No. 5)

Clemson football schedule 2026

TV channel, commentators for Clemson football vs. California

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— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 22, 2026

Clemson will face Cal at California Memorial Stadium in Week 4 of the 2026 college football season on Friday. Kickoff is 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Here's a game by game look at the Tigers' 2026 schedule.

All times Eastern.