Final predictions for the pivotal ACC Championship game between No. 17 Clemson and No. 8 SMU
Big-time College Football Playoff implications are on the line this weekend in the ACC Championship game between No. 17 Clemson and No. 8 SMU. It is a win-and-in spot for both teams. Clemson is in a win-and-in situation despite being the No. 17 team in the country thanks to the automatic bid. On the other […]
Big-time College Football Playoff implications are on the line this weekend in the ACC Championship game between No. 17 Clemson and No. 8 SMU.
It is a win-and-in spot for both teams. Clemson is in a win-and-in situation despite being the No. 17 team in the country thanks to the automatic bid. On the other hand, SMU is 11-1 and has a great chance to make the CFP. However, a loss very well could take the Mustangs out of it.
A to Z Sports has compiled staff predictions for the big game in Charlotte, North Carolina below.
SMU 27, Clemson 24
I’ll take the Mustangs making the CFP here, which is a big step for their program. Their high-scoring offense will prove to be too much for Clemson, who misses the CFP once again under Dabo Swinney. Clemson has a solid passing effort and they can score a lot of points as well. It will take a couple of big stops by SMU, but I think they can do it. – Brandon Little
Clemson 30, SMU 27
The superior roster ends up winning the day for Clemson over SMU. The Mustangs have had an incredible season. Their offense will still put up points on Clemson's surprisingly imperfect defense that has given up far more rushing yards than they should. However, in the end, Clemson's playmakers and Cade Klubnik's drastic improvements in decision making will give Clemson the victory as they "steal" a spot in the College Football Playoff with three losses. – Travis May
SMU 27, Clemson 20
Miami’s collapse paved the way for Clemson to crash the CFP party. However, make no mistake. SMU is a very good team on both sides of the ball. While Clemson’s offense has been problematic at times, SMU with Kevin Jennings under center has been constantly solid. The Mustangs will do enough with Jennings and Brashard Smith to jump out to an early lead, and the Tigers won’t quite have the firepower to match. – Craig Smith
Clemson 31 SMU 24
Clemson just was upset in their home state by their biggest rival. They're now heading to the ACC Championship with a chip on their shoulder to prove they still run the state of South Carolina and the ACC. It won't be an easy test for them considering, just like the TIgers, SMU is well-balanced on both sides of the ball. That means winning the turnover battle will be a major key for this matchup. SMU 's defense has snagged the ball back 15 times while Clemson has done it 14 times this season. Whoever creates turnovers, and then capitalizes on them, will win. The Tigers have played much tougher opponents and do have the slight edge here playing in familiar territory. But this could very well be THE "Welcome to the ACC" moment for SMU. – Kelsey Kramer
