North Carolina vs Clemson Prediction 9/19/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The UNC Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers meet in week 3 college football action from Memorial Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UNC Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers Prediction.

UNC Tar Heels Recap

The UNC Tar Heels come into this game looking to add on to their 35-3 win over East Tennessee State last time out to sit at 2-0 on the year. After this game, UNC will head home for a game against Notre Dame.

Tar Heels Looking To Stay Unbeaten

Billy Edwards Jr. has thrown for 476 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions on 64.6% passing while Benjamin Hall leads the Tar Heels in rushing with 85 rushing yards and 0 touchdowns so far this season. Zero more Tar Heels have at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Jaylen McGill who has 73 yards and 1 TD while Jelani Thurman leads North Carolina in receiving with 165 receiving yards and 8 catches along with 1 touchdown so far this season. On defense, Derek McDonald has a team-high 14 total tackles while Xavier Lewis leads the team with 4 sacks, and North Carolina’s defense as a whole has combined for 7 sacks and 1 interception so far this season.

Clemson Tigers Recap

The Clemson Tigers come into this game looking to add on to their 22-7 win over Georgia Southern last time out to improve to 1-1 on the year. After this game, Clemson will head on the road for a game against Cal.

Tigers Looking To Build On First Win

Tait Reynolds has thrown for 200 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions on 60.6% passing while Gideon Davidson leads the Tigers in rushing with 82 rushing yards and 0 touchdowns so far this season. Zero more Tigers have at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Chris Johnson Jr. who has 53 yards and 0 TDs while T.J. Moore leads Clemson in receiving with 134 receiving yards and 11 catches along with 1 touchdown so far this season. On defense, Corey Myrick and Sammy Brown are tied with a team-high 16 total tackles each while Will Heldt leads the team with 2 sacks, and Clemson’s defense as a whole has combined for 3 sacks and 1 interception so far this season.

North Carolina Tar Heels @ Clemson Tigers Betting Trends: Week 3

Why the Clemson Tigers will win

• Clemson has won 46 of its last 51 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• North Carolina has lost eight of its last 10 games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Clemson has covered the spread in five of its last six games against teams from North Carolina.
• Clemson has won the first quarter in 12 of its last 15 September games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• Clemson has won the first half in 30 of its last 33 September games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• Clemson has lost four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina has won three of its last four games in September.
• Clemson has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 12 games at Memorial Stadium (Clemson).
• The underdog has covered the spread in five of Clemson’s last six games.
• North Carolina has won the first quarter in three of its last four games in September.
• Clemson has lost the first half in four of its last five games in September.

Total Points Facts

• Each of North Carolina’s last four games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of Clemson’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Clemson Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Nolan Hauser ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for made field goals (6) this season.

North Carolina Tar Heels Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Xavier Lewis ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for sacks (4.0) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Clemson ranks 136th among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (11.1).
• Clemson ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards per game this season (246.0).
• North Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• North Carolina ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).

UNC Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers Prediction

I’m on UNC and the points in this one. I just think that Clemson’s time has passed and this might be the worst team that Dabo Swinney has had in his time as Clemson’s head coach. I think the Tigers just fall flat once again as the name brand respect of Clemson continues to linger and make this team overvalued, even in a pick ‘em. Give me UNC.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: North Carolina +3