Predictions for college football’s Championship Week

No. 23 North Carolina vs No. 9 Clemson (-7.5) 8 PM EST (ABC)

Both teams have been collapsing. North Carolina has lost back-to-back games coming into this one, while Clemson also got knocked out of the playoff picture by South Carolina last week.

Spencer Rattler had a stellar day against the Tigers, but a lot of the issues for Clemson last week came down to turnovers. DJ Uiagalelei was also terrible. There’s no sugarcoating it.

He needs to be better this week but he’s not going to have to carry Clemson. The North Carolina defense has struggled all season long and I think the Tigers will dominate the game in the trenches just like Notre Dame did.

DJ Uiagalelei needs to throw for fewer than 30 passes for Clemson to win and I think that will happen. Maye will get numbers but the Clemson defense is probably the best it has faced this season and the Tigers will win the ACC title in the trenches (Hello, Will Shipley).

Clemson 35, North Carolina 24