Next game: at Syracuse
Clemson and Syracuse are even on paper
Each unit against the one it meets, by national percentile this season. A filled dot is the attack and a ring is the defense it meets; the first name is the attack. Further right is better for both.
Clemson offense against Syracuse defense
Syracuse offense against Clemson defense
Percentiles are against all FBS teams this season.
Key stats
Each bar is the team’s national rank as a percentile. A longer bar is better, for defense too.
All 98 stats
FBS rankings · 2026 season · all stats vs 136 FBS programs
| Player | # | G | Cmp/Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | INT | Rate | ZPR | QBR | Adj ANY/A | Sack% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrambler · +0.10 EPA/play | 2 | 8 | 137 / 211 | 64.9 | 1287 | 6.1 | 3 | 3 | 118.0 | 21 | 43.3 | 4.7 | 9.4 | |
Yards by week → ScramblerMakes plays with feet when the pocket collapses. Efficiency still on the rise. Impact starter — 211 pass attempts and 94 carries in 8 games, about as many passes and runs a game as a typical FBS quarterback who plays every week. This week's matchup — QB Reynolds extends plays on the move until something opens up. Mendoza is the one who keeps the offense on schedule and doesn't lose the game. Season receipt Rush usage30.8% 82th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Yards / attempt6.5 bottom 13th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Trait fingerprint Plays like View Tait Reynolds's full player page | ||||||||||||||
| -0.42 EPA/play | 17 | 2 | 14 / 23 | 60.9 | 102 | 4.4 | 1 | 2 | 95.1 | — | 35 | — | — | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||||||||
| 14 | 2 | 8 / 13 | 61.5 | 80 | 6.2 | 0 | 2 | 82.5 | — | 4.9 | — | — | ||
Yards by week → | ||||||||||||||
| Player | # | G | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | Stuff% | 10+% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Back · +0.08 EPA/play | 8 | 8 | 105 | 528 #68 FBS | 5.0 | 5 | 75 | 17.3 | 10.6 | |
Yards by week → Balanced back· Boom-or-bustPlays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension. his yards come in chunks — feast or famine Starter — 105 carries and 4 catches in 8 games, about as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week. This week's matchup — RB Davidson does a little of everything without one standout trait. Maddox is the one who wears you down at the goal line. Season receipt Yards / carry5.3 bottom 49th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Receiving share3.7% bottom 10th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Plays like View Gideon Davidson's full player page | ||||||||||
| -0.24 EPA/play | 16 | 8 | 35 | 136 | 3.9 | 2 | 21 | — | — | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||||
| -0.06 EPA/play | 21 | 7 | 32 | 125 | 3.9 | 0 | 10 | — | — | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||||
| Player | # | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Technician · +0.37 EPA/play | 12 | 8 | 38 | 411 | 10.8 | 0 | 55 | |
Yards by week → Slot technician· Return threatRuns precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving. a house-call threat every time he fields it Starter — 38 catches and 1 carry in 8 games, about as many catches a game as a typical FBS receiver who plays every week. This week's matchup — WR Jr. wins underneath on volume and route precision. Allen is the one who wins underneath on volume and route precision. Season receipt Reception volume38 86th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate0.0% bottom 10th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View Bryant Wesco Jr.'s full player page | ||||||||
| Slot Technician · +0.73 EPA/play | 6 | 8 | 36 | 332 | 9.2 | 0 | 27 | |
Yards by week → Slot technician· Money-downRuns precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving. lives on the sticks and moves the chains Starter — 36 catches and 5 carries in 8 games, about as many catches a game as a typical FBS receiver who plays every week. This week's matchup — WR Brown wins underneath on volume and route precision. Allen is the one who wins underneath on volume and route precision. Season receipt Reception volume36 81th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate0.0% bottom 10th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View Tyler Brown's full player page | ||||||||
| Possession Receiver · +0.19 EPA/play | 1 | 8 | 33 | 305 | 9.2 | 1 | 45 | |
Yards by week → Possession receiver· Boom-or-bustReliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive. his yards come in chunks — feast or famine 33 catches in 8 games. About as many catches a game as a typical FBS receiver who plays every week. This week's matchup — WR Moore moves the chains on third down. Allen is the one who wins underneath on volume and route precision. Season receipt Yards / reception9.9 bottom 16th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions EPA / play (adj)0.2 bottom 17th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View T.J. Moore's full player page | ||||||||
| Move TE · +0.59 EPA/play | 87 | 8 | 12 | 151 | 12.6 | 2 | 32 | |
Yards by week → Move TELined up out wide as often as inline. Creates mismatches downfield. This week's matchup — TE Bentancur creates mismatches lined up all over the formation. Corbo is the one who shows up in the passing game from any alignment. Season receipt Yards / reception18.1 98th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions TD rate16.7% 78th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View Christian Bentancur's full player page | ||||||||
| Complete TE · +0.70 EPA/play | 11 | 8 | 14 | 115 | 8.2 | 1 | 24 | |
Yards by week → Complete TENo single go-to route — the receiving numbers show up inline and split out alike. 14 catches in 8 games. Fewer catches a game than most FBS tight ends who play every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 126 of 166 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman · 4-star, 2023 class View Olsen Patt-Henry's full player page | ||||||||
| +0.15 EPA/play | 10 | 6 | 6 | 51 | 8.5 | 0 | 25 | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | TFL | Sack | Hur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finisher | 13 | 8 | 29 | 21 | 11 #14 FBS | 7 #7 FBS | 1 |
FinisherTurns pressure into sacks — when he gets there, he finishes. Starter — 29 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. 10 of 180 EDGEs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Pressure-to-sack conversion0.9 98th percentile · FBS EDGE, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Will Heldt's full player page | |||||||
| Versatile End | 15 | 7 | 21 | 9 | 3.5 | 2 | 1 |
Versatile endNo single standout number, but nothing missing either — competent across the board. 21 tackles in 7 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 121 of 180 classified this way. Played in 7 of 10 games this season · freshman · 3-star, 2022 class View Jaheim Lawson's full player page | |||||||
| Nose Anchor | 95 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Nose anchorThe heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile. 130 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Weight305 lb 76th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Amare Adams's full player page | |||||||
| Versatile End | 49 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Versatile endNo single standout number, but nothing missing either — competent across the board. 121 of 180 EDGEs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate14.3% bottom 34th percentile · FBS EDGE, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Darien Mayo's full player page | |||||||
| Pressure Merchant | 14 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 4.5 | 2 | 4 |
Pressure merchantCollapses the pocket even when the sack doesn't come. 22 of 180 EDGEs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Hurry rate0.3 90th percentile · FBS EDGE, min. 10 tackles Plays like View London Merritt's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 33 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
3-tech penetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 200 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate31.8% 93th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Caden Story's full player page | |||||||
| Nose Anchor | 56 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
Nose anchorThe heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile. 130 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Weight305 lb 76th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Andy Burburija's full player page | |||||||
| 29 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | |
| 92 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sack | PD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Linebacker | 47 | 8 | 50 | 21 | 29 | 2.5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Balanced linebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. 50 tackles in 8 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS linebacker who plays every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 330 of 564 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman · 5-star, 2024 class View Sammy Brown's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 7 | 8 | 46 | 17 | 29 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
Balanced linebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. 46 tackles in 8 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS linebacker who plays every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 330 of 564 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman View Jeremiah Alexander's full player page | |||||||||
| Coverage 'Backer | 50 | 6 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Coverage ’backerCarries tight ends and patrols the middle of the field in coverage. 89 of 564 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate6.7% 86th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Tackle volume15 bottom 10th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Fletcher Cothran's full player page | |||||||||
| 26 | 5 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | |
| 21 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | Tot | PD | INT | TFL | Sack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Safety | 22 | 8 | 62 | 2 | 0 | 1.5 | 0.5 |
Box safetyLives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker. Impact starter — 62 tackles in 8 games, more tackles a game than nearly every FBS defensive back who plays every week. 150 of 657 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume62 99th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Corey Myrick's full player page | |||||||
| Box Safety | 6 | 8 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Box safetyLives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker. Starter — 45 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive back who plays every week. 150 of 657 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume45 87th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Jerome Carter's full player page | |||||||
| Box Safety | 5 | 8 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 1 |
Box safetyLives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker. 34 tackles in 8 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive back who plays every week. 150 of 657 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume34 59th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Ronan Hanafin's full player page | |||||||
| Ball Hawk | 2 | 8 | 27 | 9 #4 FBS | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Ball hawkReads the quarterback's eyes and takes the ball away. 27 tackles in 8 games. Fewer tackles a game than most FBS defensive backs who play every week. 36 of 244 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate33.3% 97th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Ashton Hampton's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | 3 | 8 | 26 | 4 | 5 #1 FBS | 0 | 0 |
Cover cornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. 26 tackles in 8 games. Fewer tackles a game than most FBS defensive backs who play every week. 138 of 244 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate15.4% 56th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Elliot Washington II's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | 8 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cover cornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. The most common profile in its group this season — 138 of 244 classified this way. Played in 3 of 10 games this season · freshman · 4-star, 2024 class View Corian Gipson's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | — | 5 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cover cornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. 138 of 244 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate20.0% 72th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Donovan Starr's full player page | |||||||
| 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | FG M/A | FG% | XP M/A | Pts | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | 81 | 8 | 23/24 | 95.8 | 15/15 | 84 | 59 |
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | Long | In20 | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinner | 89 | 8 | 36 | 1398 | 38.8 | 54 | 15 | 1 |
Net average is unavailable — CFBD's punting feed carries gross yards only, with no return-yardage or touchback deduction.
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.24 EPA/play | 16 | 8 | 15 | 368 | 24.5 | 0 | 43 |
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Technician · +0.37 EPA/play | 12 | 8 | 15 | 178 | 11.9 | 1 | 65 |
| +0.15 EPA/play | 10 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 0 | 14 |
Biggest plays from Clemson’s games
Official highlights with our numbers: the plays that moved the chance to win most in Clemson’s games this season, whoever made them.
Q4, 1:44 · Virginia Tech down 3, takes the leadEthan Grunkemeyer finds Luke Reynolds for a 5-yard touchdownVirginia Tech at Clemson, week 8Q4, 1:44 · Virginia Tech 20, Clemson 161:44Go-ahead touchdown for Virginia Tech with 1:44 left1:44Go-ahead touchdown for Virginia Tech with 1:44 leftGo-ahead touchdown for Virginia Tech with 1:44 leftE.Grunkemeyer pass complete short left to L.Reynolds caught at CLE00, for 5 yards to the CLE00 touchdown, 1ST DOWN, kick good▶Watch from this play
Q1, 5:15 · California tiedCalifornia scores a touchdownClemson at California, week 4Q1, 5:15 · California 7, Clemson 035Fumble return touchdown35Fumble return touchdownFumble return touchdownT. Reynolds sacked by A. Manutai for -4 yds, K. Mothudi fumbled, returned for a TD (C. Meyer kick)▶Watch from this play
Q4, 3:17 · Clemson up 5Tait Reynolds runs 79 yards for a touchdownClemson at Florida State, week 9Q4, 3:17 · Clemson 36, Florida State 247979-yard touchdown run7979-yard touchdown run79-yard touchdown runT.Reynolds rush right for 79 yards gain to the FSU00 touchdown, 1ST DOWN, kick good▶Watch from this play
Q4, 1:03 · Florida State down 12Elliot Washington II intercepts Ashton DanielsClemson at Florida State, week 9Q4, 1:03 · Florida State 24, Clemson 36▲26%Florida State’s chance to win, 4% to 30%▲26%Florida State’s chance to win, 4% to 30%A.Daniels pass intercepted by E.Washington II at CLM00, Touchback▶Watch from this play- Q3, 3:57 · Clemson breaks the tieB. Wesco Jr. returns the punt 65 yards for a touchdownClemson at California, week 4Q3, 3:57 · Clemson 17, California 1065Punt return touchdown65Punt return touchdownPunt return touchdownA. Davies punt for 39 yds, B. Wesco Jr. returns for 65 yds for a TD (N. Hauser kick)▶Watch from this play
- Q4, 0:48 · Clemson down 4Mylachi Williams sacks Tait Reynolds for an 8-yard lossVirginia Tech at Clemson, week 8Q4, 0:48 · Clemson 16, Virginia Tech 20▼22%Clemson’s chance to win, 26% to 4%▼22%Clemson’s chance to win, 26% to 4%T.Reynolds sacked for loss of 8 yards to the CLE41 (M.Williams), TURNOVER ON DOWNS▶Watch from this play
How scary each game got
Clemson lost to Virginia Tech after being 84% to win; the closest win was against North Carolina, down to 10%
Tap a game for its score and win chances.
Each bar runs from the lowest to the highest chance our model gave Clemson during that game; the thick mark is where it started. Numbers are the game week.
Stat leaders
2026 stat leaders · Clemson
through 8 games
2026 stat leaders · ClemsonCorey Myrick leads Clemson with 62 tackles through 8 games.
Roster
Roster
2026+17 more
Recruiting and the portal: top commits · who's gone and who's back
How they play
Clemson fields a struggling offense behind a strong, bend-don't-break defense.
Percentile vs all FBS, based on this season's per-game production. Bar = where this team ranks — right is better.
Player percentiles
Clemson reads strongest in red-zone defense (top 8%) and field position (O) (top 9%); the crux lives in passing EPA, where Clemson sits at the 5th percentile.
Offense · strengths lead
Defense · higher bar = harder to play against
Hidden math · special situations
Home-field advantage · 2018–present · FBS opponents
Clemson is worth +1.5 points more at home than on the road.
Bottom tenth of FBS, 9th percentile of 133 programs
80% at home, 76% away against FBS opponents since 2018 (40-10 home, 31-10 away). Interval ±4.3.
The stadium and how the home edge is measured
Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge. The books use about 3. Per-team versions were tested and did not hold up (why). Against the closing line, Clemson has beaten the number by −4.4 more at home than away over 100 games. That is inside the ±6.0 that many games can resolve, so the results cannot tell this stadium from the flat number. That is the honest reading of nearly every FBS stadium.
Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC) seats 81,500 and has averaged 99% full (80,309, 33 games reported). Visitors get here easily: a median 245 miles trip since 2018, the 16th-shortest of 135 FBS venues. There is no travel penalty on visitors here either way. 19% of the 2026 roster (23 of 119 located players) grew up inside 100 miles of the stadium.
Edge = half the gap between average home margin and average road margin, FBS opponents only, non-neutral games since 2018; the interval is 95%. Market line: closing spread, seasons with lines on file. Trip length is straight-line miles from the visiting team's campus to the venue, measured across all 59 home games since 2018.
More in this tab
How they play
Usage splits
How the players get used
From the 2025 season's play-by-play
- Deep threatTristan Smith is used almost exclusively underneath: a low share of his targets are downfield shots.
Position battles
RB room
The carries are split. The job isn’t.
Gideon Davidson and Chris Johnson Jr. split the carries (104/137 vs 33/137) -- but the job isn't split the same way.
WR/TE room
The targets are split. The job isn’t.
Bryant Wesco Jr. (WR) and Olsen Patt-Henry (TE) split the targets (60/76 vs 16/76) -- but the job isn't split the same way.
Scheme claims
Team identity · competitive snaps only
How Clemson actually scores
10th percentile quality, 92nd percentile boom-dependency. Garbage time excluded from both axes — the same correction that changes the Q4 story below.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Quality percentile | Boom-share percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 76th | 3rd |
| Akron | 9th | 90th |
| Alabama | 82nd | 22nd |
| App State | 41st | 48th |
| Arizona | 91st | 16th |
| Arizona State | 20th | 83rd |
| Arkansas | 7th | 93rd |
| Arkansas State | 60th | 32nd |
| Army | 95th | 10th |
| Auburn | 34th | 59th |
| BYU | 83rd | 17th |
| Ball State | 32nd | 72nd |
| Baylor | 36th | 63rd |
| Boise State | 96th | 4th |
| Boston College | 20th | 80th |
| Buffalo | 8th | 88th |
| Central Michigan | 6th | 96th |
| Cincinnati | 88th | 15th |
| Clemson | 10th | 92nd |
| Coastal Carolina | 49th | 57th |
| Colorado | 15th | 86th |
| Colorado State | 88th | 30th |
| Delaware | 63rd | 40th |
| Duke | 74th | 8th |
| East Carolina | 24th | 77th |
| Eastern Michigan | 14th | 80th |
| Florida | 75th | 37th |
| Florida Atlantic | 72nd | 25th |
| Florida International | 2nd | 98th |
| Florida State | 64th | 44th |
| Fresno State | 56th | 52nd |
| Georgia | 92nd | 11th |
| Georgia Southern | 52nd | 40th |
| Georgia State | 77th | 36th |
| Georgia Tech | 30th | 70th |
| Hawai'i | 12th | 88th |
| Houston | 89th | 2nd |
| Illinois | 70th | 38th |
| Indiana | 85th | 18th |
| Iowa | 52nd | 53rd |
| Iowa State | 43rd | 62nd |
| Jacksonville State | 62nd | 41st |
| James Madison | 58th | 35th |
| Kansas | 28th | 66th |
| Kansas State | 48th | 44th |
| Kennesaw State | 23rd | 79th |
| Kentucky | 71st | 21st |
| LSU | 86th | 9th |
| Liberty | 78th | 29th |
| Louisiana | 27th | 69th |
| Louisiana Tech | 60th | 47th |
| Louisville | 94th | 19th |
| Marshall | 36th | 61st |
| Maryland | 17th | 85th |
| Massachusetts | 38th | 60th |
| Memphis | 87th | 20th |
| Miami | 100th | 0th |
| Miami (OH) | 68th | 31st |
| Michigan | 25th | 71st |
| Middle Tennessee | 37th | 60th |
| Minnesota | 4th | 95th |
| Mississippi State | 35th | 65th |
| Missouri | 54th | 49th |
| Missouri State | 40th | 64th |
| NC State | 69th | 28th |
| Navy | 57th | 51st |
| Nebraska | 59th | 32nd |
| Nevada | 1st | 99th |
| New Mexico | 39th | 68th |
| North Carolina | 48th | 45th |
| North Dakota State | 31st | 64th |
| North Texas | 99th | 1st |
| Northern Illinois | 12th | 89th |
| Northwestern | 93rd | 6th |
| Notre Dame | 97th | 5th |
| Ohio | 67th | 43rd |
| Ohio State | 79th | 23rd |
| Oklahoma State | 76th | 14th |
| Ole Miss | 80th | 8th |
| Oregon | 28th | 72nd |
| Oregon State | 92nd | 13th |
| Penn State | 47th | 48th |
| Pittsburgh | 44th | 50th |
| Purdue | 65th | 34th |
| Rice | 18th | 87th |
| Rutgers | 32nd | 76th |
| SMU | 81st | 16th |
| San Diego State | 5th | 94th |
| San José State | 13th | 84th |
| South Alabama | 64th | 27th |
| South Carolina | 55th | 54th |
| South Florida | 42nd | 56th |
| Southern Miss | 3rd | 97th |
| Stanford | 53rd | 55th |
| Syracuse | 24th | 74th |
| TCU | 21st | 75th |
| Temple | 56th | 56th |
| Tennessee | 45th | 42nd |
| Texas | 11th | 91st |
| Texas A&M | 16th | 78th |
| Texas State | 90th | 12th |
| Texas Tech | 50th | 46th |
| Toledo | 84th | 24th |
| Troy | 8th | 92nd |
| Tulane | 33rd | 73rd |
| Tulsa | 68th | 28th |
| UAB | 16th | 81st |
| UCF | 19th | 82nd |
| UCLA | 61st | 36th |
| UConn | 84th | 26th |
| UNLV | 44th | 67th |
| USC | 80th | 12th |
| UTSA | 72nd | 20th |
| Utah | 96th | 7th |
| Utah State | 0th | 100th |
| Vanderbilt | 26th | 76th |
| Virginia | 51st | 39th |
| Virginia Tech | 66th | 33rd |
| Wake Forest | 98th | 4th |
| Washington | 40th | 58th |
| West Virginia | 73rd | 24th |
| Western Kentucky | 4th | 96th |
| Western Michigan | 29th | 68th |
| Wisconsin | 22nd | 84th |
| Wyoming | 46th | 52nd |
Clemson’s 4th-quarter offense, before and after garbage time
Raw Q4 EPA/play ranks 58th percentile in FBS. Strip out snaps taken with a blowout margin and it climbs to the 80th — the correction is the finding, not a footnote.
Standard downs vs. passing downs
Does Clemson hold up once the down-and-distance turns against them?
7th percentile success on standard downs, 39th on passing downs — a 32-point gap between the two.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Standard-downs percentile | Passing-downs percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 98th | 23rd |
| Akron | 58th | 34th |
| Alabama | 77th | 57th |
| App State | 33rd | 49th |
| Arizona | 76th | 94th |
| Arizona State | 38th | 61st |
| Arkansas | 71st | 24th |
| Arkansas State | 85th | 59th |
| Army | 93rd | 58th |
| Auburn | 14th | 69th |
| BYU | 86th | 35th |
| Ball State | 31st | 52nd |
| Baylor | 15th | 46th |
| Boise State | 77th | 92nd |
| Boston College | 63rd | 28th |
| Bowling Green | 43rd | 21st |
| Buffalo | 9th | 11th |
| California | 11th | 20th |
| Central Michigan | 36th | 9th |
| Charlotte | 18th | 41st |
| Cincinnati | 68th | 83rd |
| Clemson | 7th | 39th |
| Coastal Carolina | 23rd | 64th |
| Colorado | 16th | 65th |
| Colorado State | 66th | 95th |
| Delaware | 59th | 64th |
| Duke | 21st | 67th |
| East Carolina | 37th | 19th |
| Eastern Michigan | 16th | 30th |
| Florida | 61st | 70th |
| Florida Atlantic | 67th | 87th |
| Florida International | 20th | 53rd |
| Florida State | 30th | 90th |
| Fresno State | 25th | 84th |
| Gardner-Webb | 5th | 23rd |
| Georgia | 98th | 89th |
| Georgia Southern | 60th | 71st |
| Georgia State | 68th | 66th |
| Georgia Tech | 53rd | 40th |
| Hawai'i | 48th | 29th |
| Houston | 87th | 99th |
| Illinois | 73rd | 91st |
| Indiana | 55th | 44th |
| Iowa | 79th | 13th |
| Iowa State | 18th | 31st |
| Jacksonville State | 82nd | 80th |
| James Madison | 45th | 77th |
| Kansas | 52nd | 18th |
| Kansas State | 64th | 68th |
| Kennesaw State | 61st | 16th |
| Kent State | 5th | 21st |
| Kentucky | 90th | 51st |
| LSU | 86th | 98th |
| Liberty | 93rd | 78th |
| Louisiana | 36th | 66th |
| Louisiana Tech | 26th | 79th |
| Louisville | 95th | 72nd |
| Maine | 0th | 86th |
| Marshall | 69th | 32nd |
| Maryland | 34th | 26th |
| Massachusetts | 35th | 38th |
| Memphis | 92nd | 93rd |
| Mercyhurst | 2nd | 34th |
| Miami | 99th | 95th |
| Miami (OH) | 50th | 43rd |
| Michigan | 10th | 89th |
| Michigan State | 23rd | 55th |
| Middle Tennessee | 27th | 64th |
| Minnesota | 32nd | 4th |
| Mississippi State | 66th | 59th |
| Missouri | 34th | 41st |
| Missouri State | 52nd | 30th |
| NC State | 62nd | 77th |
| Navy | 89th | 17th |
| Nebraska | 46th | 85th |
| Nevada | 28th | 27th |
| New Mexico | 55th | 48th |
| New Mexico State | 14th | 36th |
| Norfolk State | 7th | 0th |
| North Carolina | 89th | 73rd |
| North Dakota State | 30th | 45th |
| North Texas | 95th | 84th |
| Northern Illinois | 51st | 14th |
| Northwestern | 88th | 88th |
| Notre Dame | 100th | 43rd |
| Ohio | 82nd | 42nd |
| Ohio State | 84th | 80th |
| Oklahoma | 4th | 50th |
| Oklahoma State | 96th | 86th |
| Old Dominion | 1st | 36th |
| Ole Miss | 81st | 94th |
| Oregon | 39th | 26th |
| Oregon State | 97th | 70th |
| Penn State | 20th | 47th |
| Pittsburgh | 65th | 50th |
| Purdue | 57th | 82nd |
| Rice | 59th | 14th |
| Robert Morris | 2nd | 5th |
| Rutgers | 42nd | 81st |
| SMU | 91st | 82nd |
| Sacramento State | 13th | 6th |
| Sam Houston | 11th | 37th |
| San Diego State | 8th | 54th |
| San José State | 17th | 2nd |
| South Alabama | 44th | 74th |
| South Carolina | 70th | 56th |
| South Florida | 84th | 57th |
| Southern Miss | 48th | 7th |
| Stanford | 40th | 9th |
| Syracuse | 57th | 39th |
| TCU | 70th | 10th |
| Temple | 50th | 68th |
| Tennessee | 75th | 12th |
| Texas | 27th | 61st |
| Texas A&M | 46th | 55th |
| Texas State | 74th | 100th |
| Texas Tech | 64th | 76th |
| Toledo | 73rd | 52nd |
| Troy | 39th | 15th |
| Tulane | 12th | 8th |
| Tulsa | 49th | 7th |
| UAB | 24th | 62nd |
| UCF | 29th | 45th |
| UCLA | 80th | 60th |
| UConn | 72nd | 73rd |
| UL Monroe | 47th | 11th |
| UNLV | 41st | 19th |
| USC | 79th | 97th |
| UT Martin | 6th | 3rd |
| UTEP | 9th | 1st |
| UTSA | 91st | 33rd |
| Utah | 94th | 98th |
| Utah State | 3rd | 76th |
| Vanderbilt | 41st | 32nd |
| Virginia | 83rd | 2nd |
| Virginia Tech | 43rd | 91st |
| Wake Forest | 75th | 96th |
| Washington | 56th | 16th |
| Washington State | 19th | 5th |
| West Virginia | 54th | 75th |
| Western Kentucky | 22nd | 25th |
| Western Michigan | 32nd | 27th |
| Wisconsin | 25th | 22nd |
| Wyoming | 78th | 48th |
Clemson by half
1st-half offense ranks 8th percentile in FBS; 2nd-half, 42nd — competitive snaps only, garbage time excluded from both halves.
How much of Clemson’s number is the schedule?
Raw EPA/play through week 10 is -0.02; 8th percentile once opponent strength is stripped out, it's -0.02. The widest gap came in week 2: -0.27 raw vs. -0.01 adjusted.
Tendency drift
How Clemson’s current staff calls plays, year over year
Pass defense by zone
What this team throws, and gives up, by depth.
On short throws (≤19 air yards), Clemson’s passing game completes a completion rate above the FBS mean (69.9% vs 67.0% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 219-play sample) — mid-pack, 117 of 136 qualifying offenses.
On short throws (≤19 air yards), Clemson’s defense allows a completion rate below the FBS mean (64.4% vs 66.3% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 207-play sample) — mid-pack, 24 of 137 qualifying defenses.
We won’t show a deep-ball (20+ air yards) leaderboard here, on either side of the ball: even a full season of charted plays gives most teams well under 30 deep attempts — too thin to tell a real tendency from noise, so we won’t guess. Same refusal for yards-after-catch allowed and where a team’s attempts land by zone: both measured and both came back statistically indistinguishable from season-to-season noise.
Havoc & trenches
Disruption, run-blocking, and down-and-distance efficiency.
Turnover luck
Recovering 50% of their own fumbles — in line with the ~52% league rate.
4 of 8 own fumbles recovered themselves; 4 of 8 forced fumbles recovered, 2026 only.
Takeaways
Converting 17% of pass disruptions into takeaways — right in line with the ~18% league rate.
7 interceptions of 42 disrupted passes (35 deflected, 7 intercepted), 2026 only.
Penalties
Losing the penalty battle: 56 penalties committed vs. 52 drawn on opponents, a 81-yard deficit.
525 penalty yards committed vs. 444 drawn on opponents, 2026 season total.
Ratings and comparisons
Ratings
Comparable teams
Most similar programs · Clemson
Most similar programs · ClemsonReads like
Matched on how the programs are built — tier, prestige band, kind of fanbase, conference, voice and roster size — not on this season's stats. A calibration, not a prediction.
Historical echo
Clemson’s slide has precedent — and 2 of the 4 closest kept falling.
Programs whose stature fell in the same shape. The grey line is their decline; the color is what came next for them.
An analogy on the shape of a program’s Zeitgeist stature arc — not a prediction. Interim calibration; matched among current FBS programs at a comparable level.
Weather
Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC), Clemson, SC
Usual during the game around Nov 14: 56°, between 50° and 65° in about 7 in 10 games (34 games since 2016).
Road games since 2016: the middle game was 65°, and 8 in 10 ran between 44° and 79° (44 of 48 road games, at stadiums we cover).
What a usual Saturday feels like here, by kickoff time
Airport readings near each stadium during the game, not on the field. How we measure
Weather observations: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet at Iowa State University. Rain: NOAA MRMS radar and CoCoRaHS volunteer gauges (CC BY 4.0). Game data: CollegeFootballData.com.