As they compete for ACC championship, Clemson and SMU each have a lot on the line.
With an ACC championship on the line, No. 17 Clemson and No. 8 SMU will square off Saturday night inside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This will be the first-ever meeting between two of college football’s most illustrious programs, despite the fact that they now share the ACC.
As one of only five FBS schools to qualify for their conference’s championship game in their first year with the ACC, the Mustangs have had quite the start. Additionally, SMU is the only team in FBS history to advance to a power conference championship game after finishing the previous season in a Group of Five conference.
For the first time since 2022 and for the second time since 2020, Clemson is once again in the ACC spotlight. This comes after Clemson won six consecutive ACC championships between 2015 and 20. During that time, the Tigers established an amazing modern dynasty and won two national titles.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney, who has faced more criticism in recent years, will have another chance on Saturday to demonstrate that his philosophy and program are still prepared to compete at the highest level of the sport. The Tigers have lost 0–2 versus ranked teams in 2024 and are 3–7 overall in their last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.
SMU vs. Clemson: Important information
Significant ramifications for the College Football Playoffs: The College Football Playoff field has been enlarged, so Saturday’s game is for much more than just ACC glory. In order to qualify for the playoffs and maybe steal a bid from another league, Clemson must win the ACC championship. Given their current ranking below the prospective SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West Conference champions, the Tigers may still not receive a first-round bye.
In contrast, SMU is in a respectable position no matter what, but a defeat would leave the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to decide its future. With 11 victories, the Mustangs would need to hope they’ve done enough to qualify. SMU should feel comfortable if the committee’s assertion that conference championship losses wouldn’t significantly harm teams of playoff caliber is to be believed.
Breakout season at SMU: In the school’s illustrious history, this has been one of the most productive years. Together with Oregon, the Mustangs are one of just two FBS programs to be unbeaten in conference play during their inaugural season in a conference. Additionally, since Florida State in 1992, SMU and the Ducks are the first programs to accomplish that feat. Additionally, SMU has the chance to become the third FBS club to win consecutive conference titles, something that hasn’t been done since Texas won the Big 12 in 1996 and the Southwest in 1995.
Additionally, SMU achieved its first-ever 11-game winning streak in program history and, with a 12th victory, will tie a 1935 school record. The longest active winning streak in the FBS is SMU’s 18-game run against conference opponents.
“Struggling” is a relative term, considering how successful Clemson’s defense has been under Dabo Swinney. This season, the Tigers are giving up 21.6 points per game, which is respectable enough on its own, but it’s the most they’ve let up in a season since 2015. The Tigers have struggled especially against the rush, with opponents averaging 150.3 yards on the ground per game, and Clemson is giving up 357.2 yards a game, the highest since 2012. Clemson hasn’t given up that much in eleven years. Once more, these figures by themselves aren’t bad, but they’re a huge departure from Clemson’s typical performance.
Picks and predictions for Clemson vs. SMU
Perhaps the most significant test SMU has seen this season, at least since its Week 2 setback to BYU, will be this one. Nevertheless, Clemson has a few clear weaknesses this season. As previously mentioned, its defense isn’t nearly up to its typical great level, and even though the Tigers have demonstrated this season that they can score points, their offense is just too erratic to rely on. I anticipate that the Mustangs, who have dominated the season for the most part, will continue to dominate this game. Although it will be a fiercely contested battle, SMU ultimately prevails.
