SMU came back from being down 17 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Clemson kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to earn a 34–31 victory in the ACC title game, earning an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers were ranked 17th in the country, so at least one team in the top 12 is going to get the playoff kickoff.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
(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 at Bank of America Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Charlotte, IN North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
SMU, ranked 8th in the country before the title game, might now be on the outside looking in.
The fate of the Ponies is in the hands of the CFP committee, but if Dabo Swinney were on it, his decision would be clear.
“They’re a playoff team. SMU, they better get in the damn playoffs,” he told ESPN on the field after the game.
“There’s no way they’re not going to make these playoffs.”
Swinney and Rhett Lashlee shared a long embrace at midcourt after the game-winning basket went through the posts, and it’s hard to imagine Swinney didn’t share those feelings with SMU’s head coach.
Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers speaks to his team during the first half of the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Getty Images)
NICK SABAN GIVES A SURE OPINION ON FLAG PLANTING AFTER RIVALRY WEEK Scrums: “UP TO THE EARS IN ELEPHANT S—T”
SMU tied the game with 16 seconds left after a 16-play drive, but Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to their own 45. Cade Klubnik then found Antonio Williams for 17 yards, and the Tigers called a timeout, bringing out Nolan Hauser. , who pierced the 56 yards with a lot of margin.
Clemson and Arizona State will be vying for the final quarterfinal berth — the Sun Devils beat Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Nolan Hauser #81 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning field goal after the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Of course, the committee decided to move to 12 teams in order to have more margin for error; given the controversy over Florida State’s exclusion last year, who would have thought it would still be difficult?
The entire field will be announced Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage onand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
