CHARLOTTE – It is game day at Bank of America Stadium where Clemson battles SMU for the ACC Championship.

A win by the Tigers will return Clemson to the College Football Playoff for the first time in four years.

Location: Bank of America Stadium

Kickoff: 8 PM

Television: ABC

Announcers:  Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath, Sean McDonough

2024 Record: Clemson 9-3,  SMU 11-1

ACC Record: Clemson 7-1, SMU 8-0

Series History: First Meeting

Last Meeting:  First Meeting

After a 7-1 regular season record in ACC play this season, Clemson will hope to cap its 2024 conference campaign by earning its 28th overall conference title and extend its ACC record by collecting its 22nd ACC title when the Tigers meet the SMU Mustangs for the first time in program history on Saturday, Dec. 7.

In addition to seeking Clemson’s 28th all-time conference title and 22nd all-time ACC title, a win on Saturday would be expected by most to clinch
Clemson’s seventh all-time College Football Playoff berth. Clemson’s six all-time College Football Playoff berths in the tournament’s inaugural decade were second only to Alabama’s eight.

Saturday’s ACC Championship Game will be Clemson’s conference-record 10th title game appearance. Clemson will become the fifth program ever
to appear in 10 conference title games all-time, joining Alabama (15), Florida (13), Oklahoma (12) and Georgia (12, including 2024).

The Tigers have a sterling 8-1 all-time record in ACC Championship Games, including an 8-0 record in their last eight appearances from 2011-22 after losing their ACC Championship Game debut in 2009. Clemson’s .889 winning percentage in conference championship games is the second-best nationally among programs who have qualified for at least four conference title games. Clemson can join Alabama and Oklahoma as the only programs ever to earn a win in nine consecutive conference championship game appearances.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

– Clemson attempting to win a postseason game (conference championship, bowl game and/or national championship game) for a 14th consecutive season. Clemson’s current 13-year streak is the longest streak on record in major college football history.

– Clemson making its 10th all-time ACC Championship Game appearance, adding to the Tigers’ existing ACC record (2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022).- Clemson becoming the fifth program ever to appear in 10 conference title games all-time, joining Alabama (15),Florida (13), Oklahoma (12) and Georgia (12, including 2024).

– Clemson attempting to become the first program to win 22 ACC titles. Since helping form the conference in 1953, Clemson leads the ACC with 21 titles all-time, including 20 outright.

– Clemson attempting to earn its 28th conference championship all-time, including four SIAA championships and two Southern Conference
championships prior to the formation of the ACC. Clemson’s 27 conference titles across all conferences are the most of any current or former ACC member.

– Clemson attempting to tie Utah (28) for the 10th most conference titles among current FBS programs.

– Clemson (six) attempting to become only the second team to earn seven College Football Playoff berths since the institution of the postseason format in 2014 (Alabama, 8). Though most would anticipate the ACC Champion would be among the five auto-qualifying conference champions, official word on CFP selections will not be made until Dec. 8.

– Clemson attempting to improve to 9-1 all-time in ACC Championship Games. Clemson’s current .889 all time winning percentage in conference championship games ranks second among programs who have qualified
for at least four conference championship games.

CLEMSON’S RÉSUMÉ

– Clemson’s seven conference wins tied for the fifth most conference wins of any power conference team this season. The seven wins ranked tied for second among teams in power conferences that only play eight conference games, trailing only Saturday’s opponent SMU (8-0).

– Clemson (7-1 ACC) was one of only six power conference teams with one conference loss or fewer this season (9-0 Oregon, 8-0 SMU, 8-1 Penn State,
8-1 Indiana and 7-1 Texas).

– Clemson ranks among the nation’s best in game control, a measurement of what percentage of snaps teams have spent with various leads. Clemson has led for nearly two-thirds of its snaps this season and has had a double-digit lead for nearly half of its snaps.

– The teams to which Clemson lost have a combined record of 27-9, a winning percentage of .750. Of the 16 power conference teams presently sitting with two or three losses on the year, Clemson, Georgia, Missouri
and South Carolina are the only four teams whose losses have all come against teams with eight or more wins this season.

A HISTORY OF RESPONDING

In Head Coach Dabo Swinney’s tenure, the Tigers have typically responded well in the face of recent adversity.

Clemson is 36-9 in games following a loss under Swinney, including season openers following a loss in the previous season finale.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 35, SMU 17

Will – SMU 34, Clemson 24

JP – Clemson 27, SMU 23