Athlon Sports ranked each of the 138 FBS teams ahead of the 2026 college football season, and despite a very underwhelming 2025 season for Clemson, Athlon appears to be somewhat optimistic about the Tigers entering the upcoming campaign, based on their ranking.

Clemson (7-6, 4-4 ACC in 2025) just missed the top 25 of Athlon’s rankings, coming in at No. 27 nationally.

“Can the Tigers get back on track after last year’s disappointing 7-6 season?” Athlon’s Steven Lassan wrote. “Coach Dabo Swinney hopes the return of former play-caller Chad Morris sparks an offense returning one of the nation’s top receiving corps but is also breaking in a new quarterback (Christopher Vizzina). Lineman Will Heldt and linebacker Sammy Brown lead three returning starters on defense. Swinney and coordinator Tom Allen tapped into the portal for help in the secondary.”

Ohio State is No. 1 in the rankings, with Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame and defending national champion Indiana comprising the rest of the top five.

After Oregon at No. 6, Miami leads the ACC at No. 7.

The Hurricanes, who are coming off a national title game appearance last season, will travel to play Clemson at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3.

“With the arrival of transfer quarterback Darian Mensah (Duke) and a standout group of playmakers that includes receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher, Miami is poised for another deep run in the playoff in ’26,” Lassan wrote. “How fast a revamped offensive line meshes could decide just how far this team goes in the postseason.”

Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ Oklahoma team, which made the College Football Playoff last season (OU’s first CFP appearance since the 2019 season), checked in at No. 8.

Behind Texas A&M at No. 9, LSU rounds out the top 10. Of course, the Bayou Bengals will host Clemson in the two teams’ 2026 season opener at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 5 (7:30 p.m., ABC).

“It’s no secret expectations are sky high for coach Lane Kiffin in his LSU debut,” Lassan wrote. “A run to the College Football Playoff is within reach if quarterback Sam Leavitt is healthy after a foot injury at Arizona State last year, and Kiffin can solidify the offensive line and improve a lackluster rushing attack. Linebacker Whit Weeks is back after missing chunks of the ‘25 season due to injury, and coordinator Blake Baker has plenty of talent waiting to emerge at open spots along the line and secondary.”

Along with Miami, SMU (No. 22) and Louisville (No. 23) are the ACC teams ranked in the top 25.

Clemson’s in-state rival, South Carolina, is ranked right behind Clemson at No. 28.

“New coordinator Kendal Briles should bring a spark to a South Carolina offense that struggled mightily in ’25,” Lassan wrote. “Quarterback LaNorris Sellers also passed on the NFL for another season in Columbia. The offensive line was revamped this offseason but remains a concern entering fall practice with NC State transfer Jacarrius Peak’s status uncertain after a knee injury in the spring.”

Here’s a look at where every FBS team on Clemson’s 2026 schedule stands in Athlon’s preseason rankings:

• Sept. 5: at LSU (No. 10)
• Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern (No. 102)
• Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina (No. 56)
• Sept. 25 (Fri.): at Cal (No. 47)
• Oct. 3: vs. Miami (No. 7)
• Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech (No. 30)
• Oct. 31: at Florida State (No. 48)
• Nov. 7: at Syracuse (No. 71)
• Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech (No. 42)
• Nov. 20 (Fri.): at Duke (No. 54)
• Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina (No. 28)