Clemson enters the 2026 season with far fewer expectations than it carried a year ago, but ESPN’s Heather Dinich believes the Tigers could be in line for a major bounce-back.
Coming off a disappointing 7-6 season, Clemson was left out of the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time since 2011. Dinich, however, expects Dabo Swinney’s program to look much different this fall.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Dinich went as far as picking Clemson to reach the ACC Championship Game, where she believes the Tigers will meet Miami.
“I will be shocked – absolutely shocked – if Clemson is not better this year,” Dinich said, “and playing – I’m going to go out on a limb here – playing Miami in the ACC Championship Game.”
There are still plenty of questions for Clemson to answer, starting at quarterback. The Tigers have yet to name a starter with the season opener against LSU approaching, but Dinich believes changes elsewhere could help Clemson get back on track.
One of the biggest is the return of Chad Morris, who took over as offensive coordinator during the offseason. Dinich also pointed to Clemson entering its second season under defensive coordinator Tom Allen as another reason for optimism.
“I think they have to, obviously, find a quarterback, like a lot of these other teams that we’re talking about here. But I like the hire of Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. Second year under Tom Allen, defensive coordinator,” Dinich said.
“I think they’re on the upwards trajectory. They get Miami at home this year [on Oct. 3], which is a big deal. So, it’s tricky. But they’ve gotta be better.”
Clemson will have an opportunity to make Dinich’s prediction look much more realistic when Miami comes to Death Valley on Oct. 3. A strong showing against the Hurricanes could also have major implications in the ACC race.
Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris is right where he wants to be
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) August 18, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/zFS9HbUDKupic.twitter.com/NcpcudZKEY
For now, the Tigers will have to earn back the national respect they enjoyed entering last season. Clemson opened 2025 ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll before stumbling to seven wins. The Tigers did receive some preseason recognition this year, checking in at No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.
Dinich had no issue with Clemson being left out of the AP rankings entering the season.
“They gotta play their way in,” she said. “They gotta earn it.”
Clemson has plenty to prove after one of the roughest seasons of Swinney’s tenure. Dinich believes the Tigers will do exactly that, and potentially find themselves playing for an ACC championship by December.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ESPN analyst predicts Clemson will compete with Miami, improvement certain