Despite an earlier crushing 17-14 loss to South Carolina, Clemson football’s College Football Playoff hopes are still alive. The Tigers, 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the ACC, received the unexpected lifeline they needed as Syracuse stunned No. 6 Miami, 42-38, to clear Clemson’s path to the ACC Championship Game.
Clemson will next play SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC) a week from Saturday in Charlotte. The winner will clinch a spot in the Playoff, though Clemson’s loss likely affects its seeding and could position the Tigers to take the road in the first round. The stakes are monumental as Clemson seeks to capitalize on its ninth appearance in the ACC title game.
The matchup will be a first-ever meeting between the two programs. SMU represents the surprise story – it finished the regular season unbeaten in conference action. Clemson seeks to bounce back after an up-and-down year. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on ABC.