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ESPN Computer Predicts Winner Of No. 8 SMU vs. No. 17 Clemson

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 3:44 PM ET

SMU are going to attempt the exceptionally rare feat of winning a conference championship in two different conferences in back-to-back seasons. But standing in their way is one of the preeminent powers of the ACC, the Clemson Tigers.

The Mustangs have been exceptional under head coach Rhett Lashlee, going 22-4 since last season and 16-0 in conference play. 2024 saw them go 11-1 with the only blemish on their record coming against the Big 12's ascending power, BYU. They boast wins over Louisville and Pittsburgh and have scored at least 28 points in all 11 of their wins.

Clemson started the season with high expectations that immediately plummeted after getting blown out by No. 1 Georgia. They recovered ground with six straight losses, only to lose to Louisville in early-November. The Tigers had one last chance to secure a possible at-large bid in the College Football Playoff against South Carolina, but lost the Palmetto Bowl.

But while Clemson are the historic program that have either won or been a participant of the ACC Championship Game 12 times in the last 14 years, the money seems to be following the Mustangs. SMU are 2.5-point favorites in the game. But do the computer models agree with Las Vegas?

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) computer model has released its prediction for the game.

ESPN’s computer model believes that SMU will win the game. The computer model gives the Mustangs a 53.8-percent chance to win this Saturday's game.

For both programs, there's really only one way into the College Football Playoff: Win the ACC Championship Game. The winner gets an automatic bid to the 12-team tournament while the loser will undoubtedly be removed from contention.

A win for SMU would be their first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff, while the Tigers are quite used to being in the national title spotlight and qualified for the tournament six straight times between 2015 and 2020 - the longest streak by any school in the 10-game era and second only to Alabama for number of appearances.

The game will be played at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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

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