ACC Championship Game 2024: SMU-Clemson Face Off

After a long and exhausting football season, the ACC championship game is set between the SMU Mustangs and the Clemson Tigers. SMU, during its first year in the ACC, was dominant going 11-1 in the regular season, and could go the distance. With their dominant offense and defense, SMU can win against a weak Clemson team. 

Clemson’s season was a disappointment for some and included an early season blowout loss and embarrassing conference losses. Despite the backdoor entrance due to Miami choking against Syracuse, Clemson is still a formidable foe against SMU. Even with the weak season, Clemson still has a solid offensive attack against SMU’s defense. With the ACC championship later tonight, SMU could start their CFB playoff run against Clemson in Charlotte. 

ACC Championship Game: SMU’s Tale Of the Tape

This weekend is the college football conference title games and tonight is the ACC Championship game. The ACC has been a solid conference with two ten-win teams and a competitive regular season. Despite the grind, the two teams remaining are the SMU and the Clemson Tigers. 

SMU has been a solid team all season with an 11-1 record and has dominated the ACC this season. Despite being their first season in the ACC, SMU has been a dominant team demolishing their opponents and conference rivals this season. SMU has been riding a high wave since leaving the AAC and could leave this ACC Championship game as champions. 

SMU has been a solid team with a great offensive attack with a solid run game and great quarterback play. Brashard Smith has been a revelation for the Mustangs run game and could have a solid game tonight. Smith has been carrying the load for the offense and could have a great game against Clemson.

Along with the run game, SMU has also gotten great quarterback play from Kevin Jennings this season. Jennings has been a solid quarterback for the Mustangs emerging as their number one during the season. The offense of SMU goes through Jennings and Smith, as their opponents could have a rough time with either one of those options. 

ACC Championship Game: Clemson’s Cinderella Run

SMU’s opponents could have a say in this conference game as the Clemson Tigers are fighting for their ninth ACC title. Clemson got their chance for this title game due to Miami choking against Syracuse. Due to the tiebreaker Clemson, after an embarrassing loss to South Carolina, got a chance to redeem themselves. 

Clemson still has a solid offensive game plan with their Quarterback Cade Klubnik improving throughout the season. Along with Klubnik, the Tigers have a solid run game and could run the ball against SMU’s defense. While Clemson’s offensive game plan is rough, they have a shot against SMU’s defense. 

SMU’s pass defense has been weak being 85th in the nation and Clemson could use that to their advantage. With Klubnik having more confidence in throwing to his receivers, the Tigers could upset their opponents. Even with a questionable defense themselves, the Tigers could walk away as ACC champions and be in the CFP.

ACC’s Top Coach Against a Clown

There is also another factor in this game, the coaching, and SMU has been solid in that department during the season. SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee has been solid during his time at SMU and could easily adjust to the situation. While he could overthink, he could easily adapt to the minds of their opponents. 

On the other side, is Clemson’s Head Coach Dabo Swinney, who decided to not kick a field goal against South Carolina. Swinney has been a winning coach but could easily overthink a situation and cost his team the game. While Swinney is fine, SMU; ‘s coaching has shown to not overthink the situation. 

Final Thoughts

SMU in this ACC championship game could easily win against this weak Clemson Tigers team. Despite the potential flaws of the team, SMU has a solid foundation that could lead to victory. SMU’s offense could easily overpower the Clemson defense and win this game by the second quarter. 

Clemson’s offense has been inconsistent and Swinney’s coaching could cost them the game again. Even with the improving play by Klubnik, Clemson could be facing another brutal loss this season. With the ACC championship game tonight, Clemson could face another embarrassing loss against the might of the SMU Mustangs in tonight’s ACC Championship game.