Dec. 05, 2024 14:30 PM EST

No. 18 Clemson Needs To Slow Down Smu Qb Kevin Jennings To Win 9Th Acc Title Game, Secure Cfp Spot

By The Associated Press
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) reacts to showing a touchdown pass to teammate wide receiver Derrick McFall (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) LM Otero, ASSOCIATED PRESS
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) reacts to showing a touchdown pass to teammate wide receiver Derrick McFall (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) rushes for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik looks to pass the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Citadel, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
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No. 18 Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC, No. 17 CFP) vs. No. 8 Southern Methodist (11-1, 8-0, No. 11) at Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, 8 p.m. EST (ABC)

BetMGM College Football Odds: SMU by 2 1/2.

Series record: First meeting.

What’s at stake?

SMU faces a simple scenario: win and complete a perfect first run through its new league home, along with likely first-round bye in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Clemson needs to win to make the CFP, which would then raise at least the question of whether a losing SMU team would make the ACC a two-bid league.

Key matchup

SMU QB Kevin Jennings vs. Clemson secondary: Jennings made his first start as SMU’s quarterback in last year’s American Athletic Conference championship game after Preston Stone broke his left leg in the regular-season finale. Jennings has thrown for 2,746 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing two-thirds of his passes (196 of 294). He's also the team’s second-leading rusher with 344 yards and four TDs. Clemson's defense loves to play man-to-man, but Jennings has been very good beating that all season.

Players to watch

Clemson: QB Cade Klubnik has had breakout season with a career-high 29 touchdown passes. He’s also excelled with his running ability with six rushing TDs, including a 50-yard scoring run with 1:16 left at Pitt for a 24-20 win three games ago that ultimately got Clemson into the ACC title game.

SMU: RB Brashard Smith has run for 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns this season and should present a formidable challenge for the Tigers. He also has 29 catches for 269 yards and three scores, so he is a threat coming out of the backfield.

Facts & figures

Clemson is playing in its ACC-record 10th league title game. … Tigers are 8-1 in the previous nine, the lone loss under Dabo Swinney coming to Georgia Tech in 2009. … Clemson reached the ACC title game after Miami was upset by Syracuse last week. ... Klubnik was MVP of Clemson’s 39-10 victory over North Carolina in the Tigers' last title game appearance in 2022. … Clemson is seeking its 31st victory over an AP Top 10 opponent in No. 8 SMU. … Clemson has had six games where it has rushed for 200 yards and thrown for 200 yards. ... SMU has won nine games in a row, all since Jennings took over as the starting quarterback. ... The Mustangs have averaged 40.8 points a game during that stretch, all since an 18-15 home loss to 10-win BYU from the Big 12 on Sept. 6 in their third game.

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