Clemson Welcomes SMU to Memorial Stadium

SMU in 2025

SMU began 2025 picking up right where it left off. This is especially true in conference play. The Mustangs finished their first season in the ACC last year undefeated. They have continued that trend through their first two conference games of the season. This puts their conference record at 10-0 since joining the ACC. Jennings continues to be a huge part of SMU’s success as he leads the offense for the second year. He’s got a 71.7% completion percentage while throwing for 1,658 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions. The weapons around Jennings help him out a ton as well. There are six Mustang receivers with 10+ catches at the halfway point of the season. One of those receivers is their star tight end, RJ Maryland. The big body pass catcher has 14 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns on the season so far. The best players aren’t all on the offensive side, though. The SMU Defense has many talented players in its front seven. It starts with defensive end Cam Robertson, who has stuffed the stat sheet with 31 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Lined up behind him on the second level is returning linebacker Ahmaad Moses, the leader of the Mustangs’ defense. Moses is the team’s second leading tackler with 44 total, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions. The Mustang’s defense has the most sacks (19) and most interceptions (10)  in the league as well.

How Clemson can Hold off the Mustangs

Much like last season, this game should be a battle until the final whistle blows. A Clemson win this weekend could help put them back in the conference championship picture amid the chaos of the ACC. It’ll start with the offense taking advantage of every opportunity the SMU defense gives them. While the Mustangs lead the conference in sacks and interceptions, they are also dead last in total pass defense. They are giving up an average of 315.8 yards through the air per game. The SMU defensive backs are athletic and make plays on the ball when they’re in position, but they are undisciplined with their eyes. The Mustangs’ pass defenders are constantly looking in the wrong place on pass plays, allowing routes to go right by their faces. That leaves receivers wide open down the field. The challenge will be holding off the SMU defensive front, which does a great job of getting pressure on the quarterback. The longer the Tigers’ offensive line can hold their protection and give Klubnik time to find his receivers, the more routes will open up, and he’ll be able to take his shots. On the defensive side, Clemson must make Jennings hold onto the ball and get to him in the pocket. The Tigers’ defensive front can’t allow Jennings to scramble around and buy time to make a play. They have to keep him in the pocket and collapse it on him, either getting sacks or forcing him to make bad throws. If the Tigers can find ways to mix up coverages on the back end to confuse Jennings, allow the front to keep him contained, and put pressure on him in the pocket, they can ruin SMU’s first visit to Memorial Stadium. Main Photo: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images