Clemson Opponents’ Preview

CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers start off Week 7 with a rematch against their 2024 ACC Championship foe, the SMU Mustangs.

The evening of December 7, 2024, had fans of both teams holding their collective breath all the way until the final seconds. Clemson fans were first to exhale as kicker Nolan Hauser nailed a 56-yard field goal as time expired to send the Tigers to the College Football Playoff for a seventh time.

The Mustangs now have a shot at redemption.

SMU-Clemson rematch this fall comes off the high emotions of the past winter, possibly sparking a new rivalry in the ACC.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Kevin Jennings returns for his junior year. Last year, Jennings threw for 3,245 yards and 23 scores, but had 11 interceptions. He is a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy this season, for sure.

Four of Jennings’ five top targets from last season are gone, but he showed that he can spread the ball around to everybody. Seniors Romello Brinson and Jordan Hudson will look to see starting roles, alongside James Madison transfer Yamir Knight, who caught 53 passes for 605 yards and four scores in 2024.

Star recruits Jalen Cooper and Daylon Singleton should get a lot of game time in their freshman year as well. Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland, who combined for over 700 yards and eight scores return to the tight end room this year.

Savion Byrd and PJ Williams are back at tackle, while graduate Logan Parr is great at guard. Tennessee transfer Addison Nichols should start at the other guard spot, while former Oklahoma lineman Joshua Bates is expected to take over center. Miami transfer Zion Nelson could compete with one of the tackle spots for a starting spot.

As for the running backs, 2024 starter Brashard Smith is in Kansas City after being drafted by the Chiefs, so the running game is looking to be a committee. Jennings ran for 354 yards last season, so he is expected to keep things going on the ground. Additionally, redshirt freshman Derrick McFall should get more time on the field alongside Miami transfer Chris Johnson Jr. and UCLA transfer T.J. Harden.

DEFENSE

Starting with the secondary, it was fantastic last year and one of the best in the ACC. Safety Isaiah Nwokobia is a star, and he will hold down the position alongside fellow senior Ahmaad Moses. At cornerback, Jaelyn Davis-Robinson and Deuce Harmon return after combining for 11 PBUs and six interceptions last year.

Cameron Robinson and Isaiah Smith return to the edges from last year after they earned 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks together. Transfers DJ Warner (Kansas) and Trey Wilson (Baylor) are great additions that will be helpful for the future of the position.

At defensive tackle, Texas State transfer Terry Webb and Jeffrey M’Ba from Purdue will be deadly big rushers.

SMU’s leading linebackers in Ahmad Walker and Kobe Lewis are gone, but the position is still looking strong. Junior Alexander Kilgore will take over the middle after earning 56 tackles and 3 PBUs last year, and East Carolina transfer Zakye Barker will help alongside him.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Collin Rogers is back for his senior year after hitting 24 of 33 on field goals and going 100-percent on his 52 extra point attempts. At punter, Ryan Collins joins the team from Cal Poly after averaging 43.1 yards per punt in 2024.

OVERVIEW

The Mustangs, who weren’t expected to do much in their new conference last year, proved doubters wrong. SMU not only made the ACC Championship Game but pushed its way from there into the first expanded CFP. Despite the loss to Penn State in the opening round, the Mustangs proved they are a program to be reckoned with for years to come.

Despite changes to his squad, head coach Rhett Lashlee is expected to lead his Mustangs to another great season with a team that is just as powerful as last season. SMU faces three teams early that could give them quick wins (Missouri State, Baylor, East Texas A&M, and TCU), with a slew of ACC games to follow. Even with games against Miami and Louisville, who were both powerful in 2024, the Mustangs’ biggest game will be against the Clemson Tigers.

SMU will travel to Clemson to face the Tigers on Oct. 18t at Memorial Stadium in Clemson.