ACC Championship Game Capsule: SMU vs. Clemson

Atlantic Coast Conference championship game

SMU (11-1) vs. Clemson (9-3)

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8:00 p.m. ET

Charlotte, North Carolina, Bank of America Stadium

TV: ABC

Early Line: SMU -1.5 (FanDuel)

What’s at stake:

SMU should be part of the playoffs even with a loss, but they just know the Mustangs are desperate to win the title game in their first season in the ACC. The Mustangs did not play Clemson in the regular season and this matchup will be their first ever meeting.

The Tigers clinched a spot in the title game when Miami lost to Syracuse and can now win their way into the playoffs. Clemson will undoubtedly be passed over if it suffers a fourth loss.

How they got here:

SMU didn’t appear to be much of a playoff threat when it had to score 18 unanswered points in the final eight minutes of the season opener to beat Nevada and then lost to BYU on Sept. 6. But then the Mustangs scored 66 points against TCU to start a streak of nine straight games and reach the top 30. SMU’s defense allowed a total of 13 points in wins over Virginia and Cal to end the regular season.

Clemson was beaten by Georgia by 31 points in its season opener and lost 2-0 against ranked opponents in Saturday’s finale against South Carolina. The Tigers picked up several easy victories along the way, but never looked as ferocious as some of their other teams during the Dabo Swinney era. The loss to the Gamecocks in state was a fitting end to the regular season.

Names to know:

–SMU

QB Kevin Jennings

Overall, a strong season with 2,746 yards and 19 TDs through the air and four scores on the ground.

RB Brashard Smith

Outstanding runner, averaging 6.0 yards per carry to go, 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

LB Kobe Wilson

Excels at both the run and pass and leads the team with 95 tackles as well as three sacks and two interceptions.

–Clemson

QB Cade Klubnik

Thrown for 3,041 yards and 29 touchdowns and was intercepted just five times.

RB Phil Mafah

The strong runner has 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and has surpassed 100 yards six times.

EN TJ Parker

Put together an outstanding campaign with 15.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks, to lead the defense.

Xs and Os:

The Mustangs are somewhat overlooked on defense, but have 21 takeaways (15 interceptions, six fumbles) and three players intercepted three passes. The opportunistic nature complements an offense that has scored 40 or more points five times this season.

Clemson also did a great job of generating turnovers (14 interceptions, nine fumbles), with safety Khalil Barnes being the only player to record three picks. Parker has forced five fumbles and can be a game-changer if SMU struggles to block him.

Forecast:

SMU 31, Clemson 21

–Field level media