- Clemson came up short against South Carolina last week, losing 17-14 at home.
- SMU earned their 9th straight victory on Saturday, dominating California 38-6.
- This will be the very first matchup between these two teams in program history.
The Tigers and the Mustangs enter this NCAAF game with CFP aspirations. The winner is guaranteed to claim a CFP spot. Our Clemson vs SMU prediction features a Tigers upset that massively shakes up the CFP picture.
Clemson Looks to Spoil as Rare Underdog
Clemson is no stranger to the ACC title game, but they are a bit more unfamiliar with being the underdog. Without Miami’s loss to Syracuse last week, the Tigers would have had no chance to win the ACC title or make the CFP. That defeat opened a door for Clemson, gifting them with an opportunity to sneak into the 12-team CFP via automatic bid. A strong win in this game could even earn them a spot in the top-4 and a first-round bye.
SMU Making a Statement to ACC Rivals
SMU wasn’t expected to be terribly competitive in their first season in ACC play but has risen far above expectations. They are now the favorites to win the ACC, which would be a tremendous feat for a team that played in the American Conference last season. The Mustangs have found success on both sides of the ball, but are also somewhat untested with no ranked wins. They’ll aim to continue proving their doubters wrong.
Clemson vs SMU Prediction: Tigers Stay on Top
SMU has had an impressive season, and their 11-1 record cannot be overlooked. That being said, the Mustangs haven’t beaten any teams that are currently in the top-25. Clemson may not be at the level of years past, but their history of success will always have an impact on their program, especially in games like this. The Tigers have the talent and experience to win this game as the underdogs. We like Clemson to win this one 31-24.
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Clemson Tigers (+110)
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