The Clemson Insider

What They’re Saying: Clemson’s Loss to SMU

By: Gavin Oliver October 20, 2025

SMU (5-2, 3-0 ACC) held off Clemson (3-4, 2-3 ACC) for a 35-24 win at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The loss marked Clemson’s fifth straight to a Power 4 opponent, the first time that has happened at Clemson since 1970 and 1971 when the Tigers lost six straight.

Clemson lost its third home game of the season. It marks the first time since 2001 Clemson has lost three home games in a season. The Tigers are 12-7 at Memorial Stadium in their last 19 home games.

It has been a full year since Clemson last beat a Power 4 team at home. Sunday marked one year since the Tigers beat Virginia at home on October 19, 2024.

Check out some of what they’re saying on social media about the Tigers’ loss to the Mustangs:

OL is getting absolutely whipped. Man.
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) October 18, 2025

SMU has a top 15 run defense in America.

Clemson’s issues have been in the traditional run game, not primarily the passing game, today.
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) October 18, 2025

If 17 don’t leave us we gon be in good hands

— KJ Henry (@thekjhenry) October 18, 2025

Vizzina is actually one of the few players who has done his job today.
— Walt Deptula (@deptulahasrage) October 18, 2025

HOW DO WE NOT KNOW WHO TO COVER??

TOM ALLEN. GIVE ME A BREAK.
— QT (@QuackingTiger) October 18, 2025

Its no longer Death Valley to me.

Until this program proves otherwise it’s simply Clemson Memorial Stadium.
— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) October 18, 2025

.@ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/ibnsxFjVNB

— C. H. Baird (@CyrusBaird) October 18, 2025

Yeah clemson we cooked this year.
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) October 18, 2025

Time to start calculating how to get into a bowl game. #Clemson
— Alex Dodd (@alexdoddshow) October 18, 2025

Clemson is about to lose at home to SMU and it's barely caused a ripple in the CFB conversation today. That's where Clemson is now.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 18, 2025

I’ll be back in 2 weeks, but just wow.

— Philip Sikes (@PSikes21) October 18, 2025

Clemson has lost five straight home games against power-conference opponents. The bottom is falling out on Dabo.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 18, 2025

pic.twitter.com/zttFEHPOEh
— KJ Henry (@thekjhenry) October 18, 2025

29/42
317 yards
3 TDs

You proved your worth Chris Vizzina. Bravo. pic.twitter.com/aiYKgdIwfi
— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) October 18, 2025

Feared no evil.@DriveSewell pic.twitter.com/eAn6nrAfeF

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) October 18, 2025

DOUBLE DIGIT W IN DEATH VALLEY FOR @SMUFB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3koZSznHpd
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 18, 2025

forever proud to be a Tiger, but this is sad to see man.
— 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 (@darienrencher) October 18, 2025

Future look at Chris Vizzina leading 6-6 Clemson to a win over Rice in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. pic.twitter.com/1zCqv0t9xg
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) October 18, 2025

3-4. Pathetic.

— Kayla Abercrombie (@KayAbercrombie8) October 18, 2025

So everyone understands the only issue I had with this is saying “I can’t remember a time”

Not questioning the severity of the injury, or questioning anyone’s toughness.

But complement Cade, don’t challenge/question the history of other players
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) October 19, 2025