New wins metric has Clemson one of most dominant programs of this era

College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn recently introduced a new way to measure the long-term success of college football programs, and it’s one that Clemson fans will probably appreciate. His “Sustained Win-Rate” metric combines schedule-adjusted winning percentage with consistency and recent performance to rank all 136 FBS programs, rather than simply looking at championships or total wins.

The Tigers came in at No. 4 nationally, trailing only Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama. Clemson also finished ahead of programs like Notre Dame, Boise State and Oregon, showing just how much the program’s sustained success under Dabo Swinney continues to stand out, even after a few seasons that haven’t lived up to the standard fans became accustomed to during the College Football Playoff era.

A big reason for Clemson’s lofty ranking is the incredible stretch the program put together from the mid-2010s through the early 2020s. While the Tigers haven’t been in the national title conversation every year lately, that extended run of ACC championships, Playoff appearances and elite win totals still carries significant weight in Conn’s formula.

The study also offered another interesting comparison for fans in the state. South Carolina finished outside the top 50, posting a score that was roughly one-quarter of Clemson’s.

Clemson makes the cut for elite high priority 2028 quarterback target

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— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) July 22, 2026

Whether Clemson gets back into championship contention this season remains to be seen, but rankings like this are a reminder that the Tigers have built one of the most consistent programs in modern college football. A couple of quieter years don’t erase more than a decade of sustained success.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: New wins metric has Clemson one of most dominant programs of this era