ESPN ‘wild prediction’ shows how far Clemson has fallen in recent years

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ESPN recently released its list of 100 things to know with the 2026 college football season now 100 days away, including major storylines, bold predictions and playoff projections for the upcoming year.

One of those predictions involved Clemsonfootball, and honestly, the fact it even landed in the “wild predictions” category says a lot about where the program stands nationally right now.

ESPN’s “wild” prediction? That Dabo Swinney gets Clemson back near the top of college football in 2026.

Not that long ago, predicting Clemson to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff wouldn’t have been considered bold at all. It was basically expected every year. But after a 7-6 finish in 2025 and several seasons where Clemson hasn’t looked like the powerhouse it once was, the perception around the program has clearly changed.

In a way, Clemson winning big again under Swinney becoming a “wild prediction” feels like a testament to how much the program has fallen off nationally over the last few years.

“Nobody loves proving the talking heads wrong more than Swinney, and 2026 could be his coup de grace,” ESPN wrote. “He hired Chad Morris as his offensive coordinator. He eschewed going after a QB in the portal. He thumbed his nose at everyone who said the game has passed him by.”

ESPN also predicted Clemson will win another ACC Championship and return to the College Football Playoff this season.

“And that’ll make it all the sweeter when Swinney wins the ACC and makes it back to the College Football Playoff in 2026,” ESPN wrote.

The outlet even projected Clemson’s first-round playoff matchup, setting up a postseason meeting with Ole Miss.

“The Tigers’ first-round matchup? Ole Miss, of course,” ESPN added.

We all know the bad blood there. Luke Ferrelli leaving Clemson when enrolled in classes. Poached while a part of the program.

Swinney enters the 2026 season with a 187-53 career record at Clemson. He remains the winningest coach in school history and the winningest coach in ACC history, while leading the Tigers to two national championships, nine ACC titles and seven College Football Playoff appearances.

Clemson opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 against LSU and new head coach Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson fall-off on full display, ESPN’s Dabo Swinney prediction shows it

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