Clemsonfootball enters 2026 with plenty to prove after last season fell far short of expectations, but ESPN analysts Eric Mac Lain and Aaron Murray believe a significant turnaround could be coming.
The former college standouts went game-by-game through Clemson’s schedule on the Mac & Murray CFB Show this week. Mac Lain landed on a 10-2 regular-season record, while Murray predicted 9-3 with losses to LSU, Cal and Miami before seven straight wins to finish the year.
For Mac Lain, Clemson’s disappointing 2025 season doesn’t mean the program itself is in serious trouble.
“Definitely felt like it was wasted. You have nine guys drafted. You have all these first-round picks,” Mac Lain said. “You have a Playoff team coming back…And for whatever reason, it didn’t translate.”
The biggest unknown is quarterback, but Mac Lain sees reasons for optimism elsewhere, particularly with Chad Morris back running the offense.
“He is going to run the football. He is going to be committed to running the football,” Mac Lain said.
Mac Lain also likes the potential of a massive offensive line assembled by Matt Luke, calling it potentially Clemson’s best group up front in years if it can remain healthy.
Defensively, he expects a motivated front after that unit failed to meet enormous expectations last season.
“It’s a group left now that I think should have a boulder-sized chip on their shoulder,” Mac Lain said.
Former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik impressive in New York Jets debut
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) August 15, 2026
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There may be even more confidence in the secondary. With Clemson entering Year 2 under defensive coordinator Tom Allen, Mac Lain expects the difference to be noticeable.
“We’ll see dramatic improvement from the second year in Coach (Tom) Allen’s defense here for Clemson.”
The Tigers won’t have much time to ease into the season. A trip to LSU provides an immediate opportunity to show whether the problems that defined 2025 have truly been left behind.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ESPN analyst make predictions for Clemson’s 2026 season, what to look for