The College GameDay crew has locked in their picks for Clemson’s 2026 ACC opener.

ESPN’s College GameDay analysts made their selections for today’s Week 3 matchup between Clemson (1-1) and North Carolina (2-0) at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.

Clemson comes in as a 3.5-point favorite on the spread for the game (12 p.m., ESPN).

Last season, Clemson defeated North Carolina, 38-10, in what was only the second matchup in college football history of a head coach with multiple FBS national championships (Dabo Swinney) and a multi-time Super Bowl champion head coach (Bill Belichick). 

North Carolina’s last visit to Clemson came in November 2023, when Clemson held 2025 NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye to the lowest passing efficiency rating of his collegiate career in a 31-20 Tiger win.

You can see the picks from the College GameDay analysts below:

Desmond Howard: North Carolina

“We talked about UNC. I think Belichick has what he needs — a quarterback that makes really good decisions. A tight end who’s a difference-maker. And also a really good defense. I’m going with North Carolina today.”

Nick Saban: Clemson

“I do think North Carolina is a much better team this year. But I think Clemson is going to make some progress. Young quarterback, clean it up a little bit. I’m going to go with Clemson.”

Pat McAfee: North Carolina

“I liked Clemson’s size whenever they were taking on LSU. They looked the part, but they certainly didn’t play the part. Last week, they were 2-of-13 on third down. Taking on Bill Belichick, who is obviously great at situational ball, has better athletes on the team this year than last year — give me North Carolina to beat Clemson in a staple, pillar win for Bill Belichick as a college football coach.”

Kirk Herbstreit: North Carolina

“I think it’s almost a consensus, other than Coach Saban. I’m with you guys. I think North Carolina, the defensive line — watch [Xavier] Lewis, 90. A young freshman quarterback, who I think has a great future, but it’s the line of scrimmage that will be the difference. And I think [quarterback] Billy Edwards brings them that veteran leadership that Pat talked about, that Belichick likes to have. I’m going Carolina on the road, winning it.”

Guest picker Morgan Freeman picked North Carolina.