Clemson hosts SMU in a dramatic rematch of the 2024 ACC Championship. From Dabo Swinney's coaching milestones to SMU's Death Valley debut, here are 5 things to watch for in this pivotal ACC showdown.
1. The Championship Rematch
Saturday’s contest is a rematch of the thrilling 2024 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte. In that instant classic, Clemson stormed to a 24-7 halftime lead after scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. However, a relentless SMU comeback tied the game at 31-31 with only 16 seconds left. The game appeared destined for overtime until a 41-yard kickoff return by Adam Randall and a quick 17-yard pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams set up kicker Nolan Hauser for a walk-off 56-yard field goal as time expired. It was the first time an FBS team had ever won a conference championship game on a 50+ yard field goal as time expired.
This marks the sixth time Clemson has played a regular-season rematch of a prior year's ACC Championship Game. The Tigers are 4-1 in those games, with their only loss coming against Georgia Tech in 2010.
2. Swinney’s Sentimental Date
The game against SMU on October 18 falls on the 17th anniversary of Dabo Swinney's first game as head coach for Clemson. That debut was a 21-17 home loss to Georgia Tech on October 18, 2008. This nostalgic scheduling continues a theme for Swinney in October. On October 4, he coached his 300th overall game at Clemson in a win at North Carolina. Just a week later, on October 11, the Tigers defeated Boston College at the same site where Swinney secured his first win as head coach back in 2008. Swinney, who recently tied Lavell Edwards for the sixth-most wins in the first 20 years of a coaching career, has an overall record of 183-50.
3. Welcome to Death Valley
For the first time in program history, SMU will travel to play in Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, famously nicknamed Death Valley. The Mustangs will be the 65th different opponent to visit the stadium since it opened in 1942. Clemson has a strong historical record against teams making their first trip to Death Valley, holding a 48-15-1 record in such games. Under Coach Swinney, the Tigers are 12-2 when welcoming an opponent to Memorial Stadium for the first time. This will also be the first regular season and first on-campus game contested between the two programs.
4. A Fight for ACC Supremacy
Since SMU joined the ACC prior to the 2024 season, no two teams have more wins against conference opponents than Clemson and SMU. Both programs have each accumulated 10 wins against ACC foes, including postseason play. While SMU is 0-1 against Clemson, the Mustangs have been perfect against the rest of the conference, boasting a 10-0 record against all other ACC opponents since joining. Clemson will be attempting to hand SMU its first ACC loss of the season for the second consecutive year.
5. Milestones on the Horizon
Several Clemson players are approaching significant career milestones: