CLEMSON, S.C. — Following a tough defeat to rival South Carolina, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney initially believed that his team’s opportunity to enter the College Football Playoff had slipped away.
However, the scenario took a dramatic turn just a few hours later. The 18th-ranked Tigers clinched their place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship game when No. 14 Miami suffered a narrow 42-38 defeat against Syracuse, thus opening the door for an automatic bid to the 12-team playoff.
“Winning that game is like getting a ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory, right?” Swinney humorously remarked on Tuesday. “If we take care of business, we get to enter the tournament.”
The Tigers (9-3, 7-1 ACC) are determined to seize this unexpected second chance. “We have another shot,” linebacker Wade Woodaz asserted. “It’s on us to make the most of this opportunity.”
The path won’t be straightforward, though. Clemson is set to face No. 8 SMU, the only remaining team in league play without a loss, in the upcoming matchup on Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Woodaz, one of Clemson’s leading defenders, expressed his frustration after the painful 17-14 loss to South Carolina. He experienced difficulty returning home, as traffic turned his usual 8-minute trip into a frustrating 90-minute ordeal.
Upon tuning into the end of the Miami-Syracuse game, Woodaz quickly realized that Clemson had gained a lifeline. “I couldn’t believe it—I jumped up and down,” he recalled, filled with excitement.
The Hurricanes, who were once viewed as the top contenders for the ACC championship, faltered in their final three games of the season, losing two of those crucial contests.
Swinney mentioned how invigorating it was to receive messages from friends and players who were suddenly optimistic about their chances. His coaching staff wasted no time in preparing for the matchup against SMU.
With spirits high, the atmosphere at practice on Monday evening was charged with enthusiasm from the players. “Everyone’s really fired up,” said Clemson receiver T.J. Moore.
Moore, a freshman from Key West, Florida, shared how his family celebrated the news about Miami’s unexpected loss during dinner. “It was a joyous moment for us; we couldn’t contain our excitement,” he said, grinning.
According to Swinney, the journey to this point is of little importance; what truly counts is how his team performs in the coming challenge. “We’re thrilled to be competing in the ACC Championship game,” he noted. “While we may not have achieved all our seasonal objectives, we accomplished sufficient goals to get here.”
Clemson’s only conference defeat this year was a 33-21 loss to Louisville on November 2. Faced with the pressure of competing against unblemished ACC teams like Miami and SMU, the Tigers regrouped and secured victories in their final two games against Virginia Tech and Pitt.
A pivotal moment came when quarterback Cade Klubnik executed a remarkable 50-yard touchdown run against the Panthers in the last minute of play, helping the Tigers clinch a 24-20 victory and their place in the title game.
Swinney characterized the season as good but not exceptional, yet sufficient enough to earn Clemson its eighth appearance in the ACC Championship within the last ten years. The Tigers previously claimed victory in the first seven title games, including a win against North Carolina two years ago, when Klubnik was awarded MVP honors after taking over early in the contest.
Experience plays a role in such high-pressure games, said Swinney, though he views its impact as limited before Saturday’s encounter.
SMU boasts an explosive offensive unit, ranking second in the ACC by averaging 39.2 points per game. The squad is spearheaded by quarterback Kevin Jennings and standout rusher Brashard Smith, who has recorded over 1,100 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season.
Adding to the challenge, the Mustangs maintain a strong defensive reputation, allowing just 19.8 points per game, making them the stingiest unit in the ACC.
For the Tigers, this matchup presents a formidable test—one that Swinney is grateful to have at this point in the season. He playfully commented that if Clemson emerges victorious, he might invite Syracuse’s first-year coach Fran Brown to join him in celebrating a national title parade.
Such a dream isn’t out of reach, Swinney believes, recalling his previous championship wins in 2016 and 2018. “We have two remaining goals—win the ACC and finish strong,” he said. “If we accomplish those, we have a shot at being national champions.”