SMU came back from down 17 points in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Clemson scored a 56-yard field goal as time expired to claim a 34-31 victory in the ACC title game and earn an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers are ranked 17th in the nation, so at least one team in the top 12 will get a playoff boot.
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(L-R) Head Coach Rhett Lashlee of the SMU Mustangs and Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers speak before the 2024 ACC Football Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
SMU, ranked No. 8 in the country entering the main game, It might just be from the outside looking in.
The Ponies’ fate is in the hands of the CFP committee, but if Dabo Swinney is there, his decision will be clear.
“That’s a playoff team, SMU. They should be in a tougher playoff than this,” he told ESPN on the field after the game.
“There is no way they shouldn’t be in these playoffs.”
Swinney and Rhett Lashlee shared a sensation in midfield with the winning shot past the post. And it’s hard to imagine Swinney not sharing those feelings with SMU’s head coach.
Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers talks with his team during the first half of the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 7, 2024 in Charlotte. North Carolina (David Jensen/Getty Images)
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SMU tied the game with 16 seconds left after a 16-play drive, but Adam Randall returned the kickoff 41 yards later for their own 45. Cade Klubnik then found Antonio Williams within range. 17 yards and the Tigers called timeout, bringing out Nolan Hauser, who drilled a generous 56 yards.
Clemson and Arizona State will compete for a bye in the quarterfinals – the Sun Devils beat Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Nolan Hauser, No. 81 of the Clemson Tigers, celebrates with teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal after the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 7, 2024 in Charlotte. North Carolina (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Of course, the committee decided to move to 12 teams to allow more room for error. Considering the controversy over leaving Florida State last year. Who would have thought that this would still be difficult?
All fields will be announced Sunday at 12:00 PM ET.
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