With the kickoff of the college football season inching ever so close, postseason projections are starting to roll out.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson are looking to bounce back from an extremely disappointing 2025 campaign that saw the Tigers stumble to a 7-6 mark, the second-worst of the Swinney era.

Swinney made some tweaks to his coaching staff in the offseason, which included bringing Chad Morris back to oversee the offense, in an effort to get his program turned back in the right direction. The Tigers also lost nine players to the NFL, and no matter the record, that is a lot of production to replace.

For that reason, unlike last year, there likely won’t be many College Football Playoff projections for Clemson heading into the season.

Two of the major publications have released their postseason projections this week, and neither has the Tigers winning the ACC, much less appearing in the playoff.

Athlon is projecting Clemson to face off with Washington in the Holiday Bowl (date TBD). The Tigers have never made an appearance in the bowl game that is played in Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. This would also mark the first time in history these two teams have faced one another, if it were to come to fruition.

The same publication is predicting a fourth-place finish for Clemson in the ACC standings.

After last year’s underachieving 7-6 season, the ‘26 campaign is a crucial one for the overall direction for Clemson under coach Dabo Swinney. Sensing the urgency and need for a quick rebound, Swinney made a couple of staff changes, including hiring former play-caller Chad Morris to return as offensive coordinator. Also, the Tigers were more active in the portal than they were in previous years. Will it work? We’ll see. Clemson’s schedule is favorable but contending for the ACC crown is likely to hinge on how quarterback Christopher Vizzina (or Tait Reynolds) develops. If Vizzina delivers solid play, the Tigers have plenty of weapons to make this offense click, including running back Gideon Davidson and receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. In addition to the question marks at quarterback, an offensive line replacing three starters is a concern. Despite returning only three starters, the outlook is better on defense. Coordinator Tom Allen has a strong front led by end Will Heldt to build around in the trenches, with linebacker Sammy Brown returning to anchor the second level. A couple of transfers – including cornerback Elliot Washington II and safety Jerome Carter III – provide needed talent and speed on the back end. – Athlon Sports

Athlon has picked Ohio State to win it all by beating Georgia in the national championship game set for January 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Sporting News has also released its postseason projections, slotting the Tigers in a very familiar spot.

The publication has Clemson matched up against SEC foe Vanderbilt in the Gator Bowl, set to be held in Jacksonville, Florida on December 30. The Tigers have played in the Gator Bowl 10 times, with the most recent appearance coming in 2023, in a thrilling 38-35 win over Kentucky.

Clemson and Vanderbilt have played four times, with the Commodores holding a 3-1 advantage all-time in the series. However, the two teams have not met since 1960, a game Vandy won in Nashville, 22-20.

The Sporting News predicts an Indiana-Notre Dame matchup in the national title game, but did not pick a winner.