Clemson football's thrilling come-from-behind win over North Carolina on Saturday at Memorial Stadium saw the Tigers gain some votes for top-25 consideration in Sunday's new US LBM Coaches Poll.
While Clemson (2-1) remains well outside the top 25, the Tigers received three votes for consideration after overcoming a 17-3 deficit -- and Mother Nature -- to defeat the Tar Heels(2-1), 28-20, in their ACC opener in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season.
Clemson rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Dabo Swinney beat Bill Belichick in a battle of legendary head coaches for the second straight year. Gideon Davidson had an 8-yard touchdown run with 5:01 remaining to give the Tigers their first lead of the afternoon at 21-20.
After Clemson's
defense forced an incompletion with North Carolina facing fourth-and-1 from its own 45-yard line with just under two minutes to play, receiver Tyler Brown rushed 34 yards for a touchdown with a minute left to cap the game's scoring and send the Tigers to the win column for the second straight week.
Freshman Tait Reynolds completed 20 of his 29 passes for 215 yards in his first career start, and Davidson ended a long afternoon with 16 carries for 105 yards in the Tigers' victory. Bryant Wesco Jr. had five catches for 77 yards to lead all Clemson receivers.
Clemson will face the California Golden Bears (2-1) at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley in Week 4 Friday. In the meantime, here's a look at Sunday's new US LBM Coaches Poll.
Social media reacts to Clemson’s crazy comeback win over North Carolina
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 19, 2026
📸 Ashley Tumlin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/oXc7rsuZvh pic.twitter.com/mTVKwXiRCk
Top-10 shakeup in new US LBM Coaches Poll entering college football Week 4
Schools Dropped Out
No. 23 Houston; No. 25 Virginia;
Others Receiving Votes
Houston 116; Mississippi State 114; Duke 70; West Virginia 55; Kentucky 54; Oklahoma State 36; Pittsburgh 35; Virginia Tech 30; Vanderbilt 29; Boise State 29; Tulsa 20; UCLA 18; Kansas State 18; Western Michigan 17; Nebraska 11; North Dakota State 8; Northwestern 4; Clemson 3; Massachusetts 2; James Madison 2; Arizona 1;
Clemson vs UNC live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, analysis
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) September 19, 2026
📸 Coley Cleary- SMG https://t.co/aWSwqieaoN pic.twitter.com/ylwQFBPO5S
Clemson football schedule 2026
All times Eastern.
- Sept. 5: at LSU Tigers (L, 51-10)
- Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (W, 22-7)
- Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (W, 28-20)
- Sept. 25: at California Golden Bears, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
- Oct. 3: vs. Miami Hurricanes, TBA
- Oct. 17: vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies, TBA
- Oct. 31: at Florida State Seminoles, TBA
- Nov. 7: at Syracuse Orange, TBA
- Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, TBA
- Nov. 20: at Duke Blue Devils, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks, TBA
Record: 2-1 overall, 1-0 conference.
Contact us at @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football receives votes in US LBM Coaches Poll after UNC win
