Josh Pate Flags 6 Programs Under Pressure for 2026, Led by 7-6 Clemson

2 articles · Updated · KSR · Aug 18

Six programs made Josh Pate’s 2026 pressure list, with Clemson at the top after a 7-6 season and its first absence from the preseason AP Top 25 since 2011.
Pate argues NIL and the transfer portal have raised the stakes, making playoff contention the baseline for brands that either collapsed last year or failed to capitalize on strong records.
Florida State and South Carolina fit the collapse category: FSU is 7-17 over the past two seasons after a 13-1 2023, while South Carolina fell to 4-8 after entering 2025 as a popular playoff pick.
Texas, Texas Tech and USC round out the list, reflecting different pressures—Texas missed the CFP at 10-3, Texas Tech must prove its 12-2 Big 12 title run was sustainable, and USC still has not reached the playoff under Lincoln Riley.