Despite a heartbreaking 17-14 loss to South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl last Saturday in Death Valley, the Clemson Tigers got the help that they needed to reach the ACC Championship Game. A 42-38 upset win by Syracuse over then-No. 6 Miami slipped the Tigers past the Hurricanes for the No. 2 spot in the conference.
Their opponent, SMU, looks to make history in their first season as an ACC member. The Mustangs stand at an 11-1 mark, with their lone loss an 18-15 defeat to BYU on September 6th. After that loss, SMU switched things up, benching junior starting quarterback Preston Stone in favor of the more mobile sophomore, Kevin Jennings. The latter has led the team to nine wins, and will look for a tenth in Charlotte. The Mustangs currently carry a 17-game conference win streak (dating back to their time in the American Athletic Conference), in addition to ten-straight road wins.
Below are my keys to victory for Saturday night’s matchup.
Unlock the Clemson Offense
In the Tigers’ three toughest tests (and three losses) this season, they’ve been held to 3, 21, and 14 points against Georgia, Louisville, and South Carolina, respectively. SMU is a caliber of opponent that’s similar to those three, which means that Clemson must meet their most important game of the season with their best offensive performance. For me, that has to start with the running game, with Cade Klubnik and Phil Mafah. It’ll be tough sledding against an SMU defense who allows just 95 rush yards per game, good for 4th in the nation.
Need a fast start
SMU’s M.O. has been building a lead in the first half and holding on to it with timely defensive plays and a balanced offense. The Mustangs have outscored opponents by 142 points in first halves combined this season, but Clemson has started games strong as well. Clemson’s first quarter defense is top-five in both points allowed (1.67 per game) and turnovers forced (7 total) in the first quarter.
Cool off SMU wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr.
The Mustangs’ top receiving threat has amassed 502 yards on 30 receptions for the season, including a pair of touchdowns. Over the first nine games of the season, the senior from Duncanville, TX never recorded more than three catches in a single game. However, in the final three games of the season, he’s begun to heat up. Against Boston College he snagged four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. With each week, he became more involved in the passing game, with a five-catch, 58-yard effort against Virginia, and a six-catch, 42-yard game against Cal in the regular season finale. When looking at the SMU receiving core, there isn’t a standout player by the numbers, but Daniels is certainly the one to look out for the most right now.
Clean play on special teams
The Tigers’ field goal unit has been much maligned by the national media, but it’s an area that must be sharp to take down a top-ten opponent and reach the College Football Playoff. Of freshman Nolan Hauser’s six missed field goals, five have been blocked. Special teams is an area that doesn’t get as much attention from fans, but could prove critical in a game like this between two evenly matched teams.
Prediction:
In the end, Saturday night’s game is a defining moment for Cade Klubnik’s career at Clemson. I have my doubts about Clemson’s ability to slow down this SMU offense, but I’m predicting Klubnik to play one of his best games as a Tiger inside Bank of America Stadium. It’ll be a bit of a shootout, but I’ve got Clemson prevailing on the strength of a last-minute touchdown to Antonio Williams.
#17 Clemson 30, #8 SMU 27
2024 ACC Championship Preview: Must-See Clemson vs SMU
