Clemson football falls out of US LBM Coaches Poll, but not entirely

The Clemson Tigers proved every skeptic and then some correct on a Louisiana Saturday Night in Baton Rouge over the weekend. After entering the 2026 college football season ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Tigers were thoroughly ransacked in 51-10 blowout loss to LSU at Tiger Stadium. L

College Sports

SEE ALL

Vols Wire

AP Poll Week 2: Tennessee football's top 25 ranking

Aggies Wire

SEC football power rankings: Where all 16 teams stand entering Week 2

Wildcats Wire

Did Kentucky's week one win get them votes in US LBM Coaches Poll?

What is the story about?

The Clemson Tigers proved every skeptic and then some correct on a Louisiana Saturday Night in Baton Rouge over the weekend.

After entering the 2026 college football season ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Tigers were thoroughly ransacked in 51-10 blowout loss to LSU at Tiger Stadium.

LSU crushed Clemson and had the game in hand virtually by the end of the first quarter. The Bayou Bengals raced to a 31-3 halftime lead after a disastrous performance by starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who did not finish the first half after coach Dabo Swinney turned to true freshman Tait Reynolds just before intermission.

After being gift-wrapped an early field goal thanks to a Sam Leavitt interception that was picked off by Ashton Hampton

on the Tigers' opening drive, Clemson punted or turned the ball over on 11 straight possessions between the first and third quarters.

By the end of the night, Clemson had managed just 145 yards of total offense and eight first downs. LSU amassed almost 650 total yards, including 335 on the ground. Vizzina was 10-of-16 for 83 yards and a pick six. Reynolds fared no better, finishing 4-of-6 for 22 yards.

The Tigers' 41-point loss was their most lopsided defeat in Swinney's 18 seasons as coach.

Here's a look at the full top 25 rankings in Tuesday's Week 2 US LBM Coaches Poll.

Stephen A. Smith puts Clemson on blast after getting torn apart by LSU

📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect https://t.co/CebUZvJ80J pic.twitter.com/Qk7PQujEIl
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 8, 2026

Where does Clemson football sit in new Coaches Poll?

Clemson is unranked in the Week 2 US LBM Coaches Poll. The Tigers, however, garnered three votes for top-25 consideration, the third-fewest among all 138 FBS teams, and one more than ACC rival North Carolina and San Diego State. Colorado received one vote.

Full US LBM Coaches Poll rankings after Week 1

The full Week 2 top 25 rankings in the US LBM Coaches Poll are below.

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Clemson;

Others Receiving Votes

Louisville 125; Illinois 45; Boise State 43; Arizona 42; South Carolina 36; Memphis 24; Auburn 19; Vanderbilt 17; Pittsburgh 14; Virginia Tech 11; Nebraska 11; Arizona State 11; Minnesota 9; Western Michigan 7; New Mexico 7; North Dakota State 6; Kansas State 6; Navy 5; UCLA 4; Duke 4; UNLV 3; Clemson 3; San Diego State 2; North Carolina 2; Colorado 1;

Stephen A. Smith puts Clemson on blast after getting torn apart by LSU

📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect https://t.co/CebUZvJ80J pic.twitter.com/Qk7PQujEIl
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 8, 2026

Clemson football schedule 2026

Clemson will face Georgia Southern in the Tigers' home opener at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ACC Network.

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