CLEMSON — For the second time in three years, the Clemson Tigers are headed to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte.

Despite losing their third game of the season against rival South Carolina last week, the 17th-ranked Tigers (9-3, 7-1 ACC) earned a spot in the conference championship game against No. 8 SMU (11-1, 8-0) after Syracuse handed Miami its second conference loss of the season.

Hours after Clemson players thought their playoff hopes were nonexistent, Syracuse’s win gave the Tigers a shot at a new life.

For Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, the chance to play is reminiscent of a common childhood experience. According to the quarterback, someone just gave the Tigers five more minutes to play.

“It’s like you’re outside playing with your siblings or your friends or whatever and your mom tells you you got to come in and she gives you five more minutes,” Klubnik said. “We’re getting five more minutes to go play. We’re getting one more game to go play and another opportunity, and we’re so excited.”

Singer Scotty McCreery turned “Five More Minutes” into a hit on the country music charts. Clemson is hoping to use its five more minutes to win a conference championship, while punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff.

For the first time in a month since the second loss to Louisville, Clemson is in full control of its own destiny. If the Tigers beat SMU, they have no set ceiling.

For Klubnik, the opportunity is not taken for granted.

“There’s only eight power four teams in the country that are going to play a game this week and we’re one of those eight and everybody else is at home,” Klubnik said. “We’re excited to go play. We’re excited to go play for a championship and something that we’ve earned. In a big league like we have, to be in this championship is definitely a big deal and and we’re excited.”

Now that Clemson has been granted another chance and has a clear path to the College Football Playoff, the Tigers hope they make the most of their five more minutes.