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Clemson and UNC Coaches Face Off in Unexpected Matchup of Struggling Teams
3 Oct
Summary
- Clemson and North Carolina, two of the most disappointing teams this season, face off
- Coaches Dabo Swinney (Clemson) and Bill Belichick (UNC) have won multiple championships
- Quarterback Cade Klubnik's struggles have been a major issue for Clemson
This Saturday, October 7, 2025, Clemson and North Carolina will face off in a highly anticipated ACC matchup. However, the game is not between two championship contenders, but rather two teams that have struggled mightily to start the 2025 season.
The headlining storyline is the matchup between the coaches, Dabo Swinney of Clemson and Bill Belichick of North Carolina. Swinney has won two national titles with the Tigers, while Belichick is a six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. This will be just the second time in college football history that a coach with multiple FBS national championships has faced a coach with numerous Super Bowl titles.
Despite the star power on the sidelines, both teams have been disappointments so far. Clemson, ranked 4th in the preseason, has stumbled to a 1-3 record, with losses to LSU, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, a Heisman Trophy favorite entering the season, has struggled mightily, with his completion rate and QB rating ranking near the bottom of the FBS.
North Carolina, under first-year head coach Belichick, has also gotten off to a rough 2-2 start, including a 34-point loss at home to TCU. The Tar Heels have struggled to find consistency on offense and have been uncompetitive in their two losses.
As the two teams look to turn their seasons around, the October 7th matchup will be a crucial game for both programs. Clemson will be looking to get Klubnik and the offense back on track, while North Carolina will hope to show signs of progress under Belichick's leadership.
