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Dabo Swinney Thinks Clemson Can Be First Three-Loss National Champion

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 2:28 PM ET

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is fired up heading into this year's ACC Championship Game.

Despite having three losses and just losing to South Carolina, Clemson will play for a spot in the College Football Playoff on Saturday against SMU in the ACC Title Game.

Clemson got into the ACC Title Game thanks to Syracuse upsetting Miami. Had Miami won, it would've been Miami-SMU in the title game.

Still, Clemson can make the CFP by winning the ACC and Swinney knows the possibility of his team winning it all with three losses would upset a lot of people.

We were the first 15-0 national championship team. Maybe we can be the first three-loss national championship team. Boy, that would upset some people," Swinney said.

While it's cool to think about the possibility of a three-loss team winning it all, the focus has to be on SMU first. Without beating SMU, Clemson won't be in the CFP since it would have four losses.

SMU poses a tough challenge for Clemson considering it went 11-1 during the regular season. Quarterback Kevin Jennings had a stellar season, throwing for 2,746 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions while running back Brashard Smith was one of the top running backs in the country.

Smith rushed for 1,157 yards and added 14 touchdowns while averaging six yards a carry. He's going to be a handful for the Tigers' defense this Saturday and will be priority No. 1 for them.

Kickoff for the 2024 ACC Championship Game will be at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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