Clemson football cannot lose this weekend. After watching Miami dismantle the Tigers in Death Valley, that may be the most comforting sentence Clemson fans read all week.
The Tigers enter the bye at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC. They sit behind unbeaten Miami and Pitt in the conference standings, meaning Saturday still offers a few opportunities for other teams to make Clemson’s path slightly less crowded.
There are also two local FCS teams playing entertaining matchups and, most importantly, another chance to root against South Carolina.
Here are five teams Clemson fans should back during the bye week.
5. Furman over Tennessee Tech
Root for Furman
Furman is located less than an hour from Clemson, which is enough justification in itself for a spot on the list. The actual matchup
makes the Paladins more interesting than a convenient local rooting interest.
The 2-4 Paladins visit 4-1 Tennessee Tech as 15.5-point underdogs. Tennessee Tech went 11-2, won its conference and reached the FCS playoffs last season before joining the Southern Conference in 2026. The Golden Eagles now lead the conference with 289.6 passing yards per game behind Jax Leatherwood, who has thrown for 1,448 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Furman has one clear upset formula: create chaos. The Paladins rank second in the FCS with 14 takeaways and 10th with eight interceptions. Tennessee Tech committed five turnovers in its loss to Western Carolina.
Today’s frames: B&W(ednesday) 🏋️♂️#EliteIsTheStandard | #FUAllTheTime pic.twitter.com/bVfRBO4fUE
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) October 7, 2026
Furman also leads the series 3-1 and has won the last three meetings, including a 26-0 shutout in Cookeville in 2021 and a 45-10 victory in 2023.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
4. Wofford over Elon
Root for Wofford
This is football for the sickos, and I mean that as a compliment.
Wofford and Elon began playing in 1921 and met annually as Southern Conference opponents from 2002 through 2013. The Terriers lead the series 28-12, although Elon won the most recent meeting 26-0 in 2022.
Wofford enters at 3-3 after beating Furman 32-25, snapping a three-game losing streak. Ethan Drumm threw for 304 yards, while Isaiah Scott accumulated 193 receiving yards. The Terriers have also scored on all 14 of their red-zone possessions this season, with 11 ending in touchdowns.
Elon is 4-2 and undefeated at home. Freshman Kamerin McDowell-Moore just rushed for a school freshman-record 273 yards against New Hampshire, the second-highest single-game total by an FCS player this season.
🏈🔥 VIKINGS BEYOND VALHALLA!
— Tarboro Football (@TarboroFootball) October 5, 2026
Kam McDowell-Moore is AT IT AGAIN! 😤
The former Tarboro Viking earned his 3RD CAA weekly honor this season—and this time it’s CAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK! 🏆
🔥 273 rushing yards
🏈 2 TDs
💨 754 yards this season#VikingsBeyondValhalla pic.twitter.com/xoZByoLibR
It is Elon’s homecoming; the spread is close (+3.5 Elon), and Wofford is another Upstate program. No conference ramifications are required. Just embrace the madness.
Kickoff is set for Saturday 2 p.m. ET on FloCollege.
3. Louisville over Florida State
Root for Louisville
If you are a Clemson fan it is an obligation that you sit down next to your television and enjoy a Florida State bashing.
Clemson sits at 2-1 in ACC play, while Florida State enters Friday at 1-1. A Louisville victory would give the Seminoles their second conference loss before Clemson visits Tallahassee on Oct. 31. Louisville would improve to 2-2 and remain behind the Tigers in winning percentage.
The matchup itself could get weird quickly as well, as Louisville leads the country with eight touchdowns of at least 50 yards, but all three of its losses have come by exactly three points. Florida State enters with momentum after recording 10 sacks and holding Virginia to 37 rushing yards in a 38-7 win. Louisville is favored +3.5.
Ashton Daniels is also an ugly quarterback to have to rely on. Great with his legs but simply turns the ball over a ton and inconsistent when he passes. On the other side of the ball, Lincoln Kienholz has only thrown one interception for Louisville, providing a safer approach to an offensive scheme.
Florida State QB Ashton Daniels in the 38-7 win over Virginia:
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) October 3, 2026
183 passing yards
136 rushing yards
5 rushing TDs (school record) pic.twitter.com/oxuPMiG3DI
The Seminoles have also lost 10 consecutive road games. Clemson fans should respectfully encourage that tradition to continue. You cannot miss this one.
Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
2. North Carolina over Pitt
Root for the Tar Heels
This is the result that would help Clemson most directly.
Pitt is 5-0 overall and 2-0 in ACC play, placing the Panthers ahead of Clemson in the standings. A North Carolina upset would drop Pitt to 2-1 and create a tie with the Tigers. It would also improve the résumé value of Clemson’s comeback victory over the Tar Heels.
Pitt will play without starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, who tore his ACL during last week’s 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech. Heintschel had thrown for 1,304 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only one interception. Former Auburn and Texas State quarterback Holden Geriner is expected to make his first career start.
Every Holden Geriner pass attempt in 2026.
— The Loyal Sons (@TheLoyalSons) October 7, 2026
Miami OH: 3-3 for 27 yards
Bucknell: 8-11 for 114 yards and 1 TD
Virginia Tech: 8-12 for 78 yards and 1 TD
Season Total: 19-26 for 219 and 2 TDs pic.twitter.com/Z8Nm4ydP36
North Carolina has dropped two straight, but Bill Belichick now gets an opportunity to attack a backup quarterback with Clemson’s conference positioning quietly hanging in the balance.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on ESPN.
1. Florida over South Carolina
Two-bits! Four-bits! Six-bits! A dollar! All for the Gators, stand up and holler!
There is no complicated conference scenario here. South Carolina is throwing a football, so Clemson fans should root for the other team.
Florida enters at 4-1 after Missouri embarrassed the Gators 45-17 last weekend. South Carolina is 2-3 and 0-3 in SEC play after losing 35-34 to Kentucky.
The Gators remain 14.5-point favorites because their offense averages 46.2 points and 491.2 yards per game. South Carolina can run the ball as it averages 256 rushing yards, but its minus-six turnover margin ranks among the worst in the country.
LaNorris Sellers is coming apart man
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 20, 2026
Inexcusable interception pic.twitter.com/nLNNlr3QZm
One wounded team has to leave Gainesville feeling better about itself. Clemson fans should choose the one that does not wear garnet and black.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Five games Clemson football fans should watch during the bye week
