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ACC championship game capsule: SMU vs. Clemson

A C Gazette
By A C Gazette
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NCAA Football: Southern Methodist at VirginiaNov 23, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Atlantic Coast Conference championship game

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

Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET

Charlotte, N.C., 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 just know the Mustangs badly want to win the title game in their first season in the ACC. The Mustangs didn’t play Clemson in the regular season and this matchup will be their first-ever clash.

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

How they got here:

SMU didn’t seem like much of a playoff threat when it had to score 18 unanswered points in the final eight-plus minutes of the season opener to beat Nevada and then lost to BYU on Sept. 6. But then the Mustangs rolled up 66 points against TCU to start a stretch of nine straight games topping 30. SMU’s defense allowed a total of 13 points in wins over Virginia and Cal to end the regular season.

Clemson got whipped by 31 points by Georgia in its season opener and lost to South Carolina in Saturday’s finale to go 0-2 against ranked foes. The Tigers rolled 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 in-state Gamecocks was a fitting end to the regular season.

Names to know:

–SMU

QB Kevin Jennings

Strong overall season with 2,746 yards and 19 TDs in the air and four scores on the ground.

RB Brashard Smith

Stellar runner averaging 6.0 yards per carry to go with 1,157 yards and 14 TDs on the ground.

LB Kobe Wilson

Stands out against both the run and the pass, leading the team with 95 tackles and also compiling three sacks and two interceptions.

–Clemson

QB Cade Klubnik

Has thrown for 3,041 yards and 29 touchdowns and has been intercepted just five times.

RB Phil Mafah

Tough runner has 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, topping 100 six times.

DE T.J. Parker

Has put together a stellar campaign with 15.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks, to lead the defense.

Xs and Os:

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

Clemson also has done a great job creating turnovers (14 interceptions, nine fumbles) with safety Khalil Barnes being the lone player to nab three picks. Parker has forced five fumbles and he can be a game-changer if SMU has trouble blocking him.

Prediction:

SMU 31, Clemson 21

–Field Level Media

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