Clemson football set for wild ride vs North Carolina in CFB Week 3 sim

The Clemson Tigers open ACC play in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers (1-1) are coming off a 22-7 win over Georgia Southern in their home opener. It was hardly an inspiring performance. Clemson's offensive line

College Sports

SEE ALL

College Sports Wire

Miami vs. Wake Forest: Week 3 Betting Odds, Prediction

USA Today

USC's cross-country trip to Rutgers revives questions about East Coast struggles

Aggies Wire

SEC football Week 3: Picks, predictions, where to watch

What is the story about?

The Clemson Tigers open ACC play in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers (1-1) are coming off a 22-7 win over Georgia Southern in their home opener. It was hardly an inspiring performance. Clemson's offensive line struggled again and allowed two sacks and 11 tackles for loss. They committed four holding penalties and two false starts.

After an early Clemson touchdown courtesy of a Christopher Vizzina pass to T.J. Moore, the offense didn't finish drives and had to settle for five field goals from kicker Nolan Hauser. Hauser was named ACC Specialist of the Week after going 5-for-5. He made three kicks in the second quarter, plus a 50-yard attempt and a 49-yarder

in the game's last seven minutes.

Freshman Tait Reynolds, who will start Saturday's game against UNC, was 16 of 27 for 178 yards against Georgia Southern.

North Carolina (2-0) defeated East Tennessee State, 35-3, in Chapel Hill after opening the season with a 15-10 upset win over TCU in Dublin, Ireland.

Before Clemson and UNC step on the field in Week 3, Clemson Wire once again turned to EA Sports College Football 27 to simulate the matchup and see how the game might play out. Settings for the simulated game echo the noon ET kickoff set for Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Here's how the simulation predicted Clemson-North Carolina would play out in Week 3.

ESPN predicts the final score of Clemson football vs. North Carolina

📸 Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/S9gIGdOYzj pic.twitter.com/kJI3xHuPUR
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 17, 2026

Clemson football vs. North Carolina sim: Tigers win high-scoring thriller

Final Score: Clemson 35, North Carolina 30
Clemson stats:
- QB Tait Reynold: 27-of-33 passing, 395 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, sacked seven times
- RB Gideon Davidson: 15 rushes, 85 yards, 5.6 YPC, one touchdown
- WR Naeem Burroughs: seven catches, 164 yards, 23.4 AVG, three touchdowns
- WR T.J. Moore: eight catches, 145 yards, 18.1 AVG, one touchdown
- TE Olsen Patt-Henry: six catches, 47 yards, 7.8 AVG
- LB Sammy Brown: eight tackles, 1.0 TFL, pass breakup
- LB Jeremiah Alexander: six tackles, 1.0 TFL, one sack
- DE Will Heldt: five tackles, 2.0 TFL, one sack
- DE: Jahiem Lawson: five tackles, one sack
- DB Elliot Washington: 2.0 TFL, one sack
North Carolina standouts:
- QB Billy Edwards Jr.: 22-of-28, 259 yards, two touchdowns
- RB Demon June: 18 carries, 115 yards, 6.3 YPC
- WR Jordan Shipp: seven receptions, 130 yards, 18.5 AVG, one touchdown
- K Aeron Burrell: 3-for-3 FGA, 40 LONG. 3-for-3 XPA
- LB Derek McDonald: 12 tackles, 3.0 TFL, one interception, one forced fumble

The simulation had North Carolina jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter before Clemson scored on three consecutive touchdown drives to close the first half. Naeem Burroughs had a 90-yard touchdown catch to open the scoring for the Tigers and added a 23-yard catch and a 15-yard score before halftime.

Clemson carried a 21-20 lead into halftime and added to its lead on another big play: a 76-yard touchdown pass to Moore. The Tigers outscored the Tar Heels, 35-6, until a short touchdown pass from Edwards in the fourth quarter. Davidson capped Clemson's scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run on the preceding drive.

In the virtual world at least, Chad Morris' offense found its "juice."

The game was simulated featuring the most recent updates to College Football 27's roster, player ratings and other attributes from EA Sports servers.

Kickoff time, TV channel for Clemson vs UNC football

Kickoff for Clemson-North Carolina in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season is noon ET Saturday at Clemson Memorial Stadium. The game can be seen on ESPN. Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will have the call of the game. Stormy Buonantony will report from the sidelines.