Well last Saturday sucked. There is nothing good about losing to the rival, ever. BUT, if there is a silver lining from completely outplaying your rival but losing to a phenomenal effort by the opposing quarterback, it’s that our Clemson Tigers will play for the ACC Championship this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.
I wrote last week how the Citadel was able to gash the Tigers for a season high in rushing yards. LaNorris Sellers then proceeded to put on a show with his feet last weekend. The bad news? Arguably the best running quarterback of the three teams will be on display in Charlotte as the Tigers will face the Southern Methodist University Mustangs on Saturday night.
This game (obviously) has huge playoff implications. Win and in for the Tigers. Never did I believe that this team would have this opportunity, but here we are. Let’s make the most of it.
Here is your preview of Clemson’s ACC Championship Game Opponent, the SMU Mustangs.
Southern Methodist University Mustangs (11-1; 8-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Rhett Lashley (3rd Season)
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Time: 8PM
Wins against: Nevada, Houston Christian, TCU, Florida State, Louisville, Stanford, Duke, Pitt, Boston College, Virginia, Cal
Losses against: BYU
Offense
Offensive Coordinator – Casey Woods (3rd Season)
Coach Woods is in his third season in DFW. During the pre-season, all of the talk was about presumed starter Preston Stone. The Mustangs went 2-1 when Stone was in there, but injuries and some ineffectiveness forced Coach Woods’ hand to make a move to QB Kevin Jennings. From that point on, SMU took off offensively. They not only won every game with Jennings under center, but they obliterated teams. Coach Woods likes to run the ball, and has a dynamic running back in Brashard Smith, but uses Jennings’ legs a ton as well. Woods will spread a defense out and throw it around the field as well with many capable wide outs. This may be the best offense Clemson will play this season.
The Mustangs are averaging 441.8 total yards per game (21st), with 263.9 (T-31st) coming through the air and 177.9 (48th) on the ground. The Ponies have scored 39.2 points per game (5th).
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Mustangs on offense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
| Quarterback | Kevin Jennings (7) | RS Sophomore | 196-294, 67%, 2746 yds, 7 TDs, 7 Ints; 83 rushes, 344 yds, 4 TDs |
| Running Back | Brashard Smith (1) | Senior | 193 rushes, 1157 yds, 14 TDs; 29 catches, 269 yds, 3 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Key’Shawn Smith (9) | Senior | 30 catches, 499 yds, 5 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Roderick Daniels Jr (13) | Senior | 30 catches, 502 yds, 2 TDs; 43 rushes, 163 yds, 3 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Jordan Hudson (8) | Junior | 31 catches, 363 yds, 5 TDs |
| Tight End | Matthew Hibner (88) | Graduate | 17 catches, 261 yds, 3 TDs |
| Left Tackle | Savion Byrd (54) | RS Junior | |
| Left Guard | Logan Parr (71) | Graduate | |
| Center | Jakai Clark (53) | Graduate | |
| Right Guard | Justin Osborne (51) | Graduate | |
| Right Tackle | PJ Williams (59) | RS Sophomore |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Scott Symons (3rd Year)
A top 20 defense nationally, Coach Symons employs a 3-3-5 defense with a rover-type player at Nickel. The defense gives up just short of 20 points per game and will disguise looks all night for Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense. Symons sends pressures from all over the field as he will put his DBs on islands against opposing receivers. Big, athletic bodies up front will be twisting and stunting all night to confuse the beat up Clemson offensive line and stuff the run. This defense will be a challenge for Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley to decipher.
SMU is allowing 19.8 points per game to their opponents (19th). They allow a total of 326.1 yards per game (28th), 95.8 on the ground (4th) and 230.3 (85th).
Here is a look at the projected starters along with their statistics for the Mustangs defense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nose Tackle | Anthony Booker Jr. (10) | Graduate | 9 tackles, TFL, FR |
| Defensive Tackle | Jared Harrison-Hunte (81) | Senior | 35 tackles, 6 TFLs, 5 sacks, Int |
| Bandit End | Jahfari Harvey (6) | Senior | 26 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 FF, FR |
| Middle Linebacker | Kobe Wilson (24) | Graduate | 95 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 Ints, FF |
| Weakside Linebacker | Ahmad Walker (34) | Senior | 78 tackles, 8 TFLs, 0.5 sack, Int, 2 FF, FR |
| Cornerback | Brandon Crossley (1) | Graduate | 27 tackles, 0.5 TFL, FR |
| Rover | Isaiah Nwokobia (23) | RS Junior | 91 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 3 Ints |
| Free Safety | Ahmaad Moses (3) | Junior | 61 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 Ints |
| Nickelback | Cale Sanders Jr. (22) | Senior | 43 tackles, 6 TFLs, sack |
| Cornerback | Jaelyn Davis-Robinson (13) | RS Sophomore | 21 tackles |
SMU is a +2 in turnover margin on the season and has 21 takeaways with 15 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.
They have 18 turnovers on offense, 11 fumbles and 8 interceptions on the season.
Special Teams
Here is a look at the projected starters on Special Teams for SMU: .
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Collin Rogers (41) | Junior | 22-29; long of 55 yds |
| Punter | Isaac Pearson (49) | Graduate | 34 att. 44 yd avg. long of 58 yds. |
| Punt Returner | Roderick Daniels Jr. (13) | Senior | 20 att. 210 yds, long of 69 yds, TD |
| Kick Returner | Brashard Smith (1) | Senior | 11 att. 243 yds, long of 39 yds. |
Summary
Clemson has back-door’ed their way to a playoff opportunity. With Syracuse beating Miami last weekend, Clemson, being 7-1 in the conference, earned a birth into the ACC Championship game. Clemson has played in the conference championship in 8 of the last 10 seasons, having won 6 of those games.
SMU came into the league this season and went through the season unscathed, albeit without playing Clemson or Miami in the regular season. Put all that aside, they earned their right to play in this game. They are a high-flying offense, and a ball-hawking defense.
But the Tigers have a new life. They’re going to need to play that complimentary football that Coach Dabo Swinney talks about all the time. Let’s be honest, the playoff would be pretty fun. Why not Clemson? Warm up the ROY Bus, we’re headed to Charlotte!
