Clemson Tigers (9-3) vs. SMU Mustangs (11-1)
December 7, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: SMU Mustangs -2.5 / Clemson Tigers +2.5; Over/Under: +56.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a SMU vs Clemson prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, December 7th at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the ACC Championship game.
SMU Mustangs Betting Preview
The SMU Mustangs are 11-1 (8-0) this year after they defeated California by a score of 38-6 in their last game. SMU led 21-0 at halftime and scored the last 17 points in the game to pull away for the win. The Mustangs out gained Cal by a total of 415-254, won the turnover battle 1-0, and went 3-10 on third down in the game. Kevin Jennings threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns, while Brashard Smith rushed for 68 yards and one score.
Prior to that win, the Mustangs won eight games in a row, with six of those wins coming by double digits. The SMU offense has scored 40.7 points per game with 177.9 rushing yards and 263.9 passing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 19.8 points against per game this season. Kevin Jennings has completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,746 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Brashard Smith has rushed for 1,157 yards and 14 scores this year.
Clemson Tigers Betting Preview
The Clemson Tigers are 9-3 (7-1) this season after they lost to South Carolina by a score of 17-14 in their last game. Clemson led 14-7 in the fourth quarter, but they allowed the last 10 points in the game for the loss. The Tigers were out gained by a total of 432-419, won the turnover battle 3-2, and went 7-15 on third down in the game. Cade Klubnik threw for 280 yards and one interception, while Phil Mafah rushed for 66 yards on 20 carries.
Prior to that loss, the Tigers won three games in a row against The Citadel, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech. The Clemson offense has scored 35.7 points per game with 275.1 passing yards and 190.6 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 21.6 points against per game this season. Cade Klubnik has completed 64.2% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 29 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Phil Mafah has rushed for 1,078 yards and eight scores.
Why Clemson will beat SMU
- Clemson has won nine of its last 10 games against conference opponents.
- SMU has lost four of its last five games in December.
- Clemson has covered the spread in each of its last five games against conference opponents at neutral venues.
- The team ranked 8th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
- Clemson has won the first quarter in each of its last six games against conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Clemson has won the first half in each of its last seven games against conference opponents at neutral venues.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Clemson’s last seven December games against top-10 AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of SMU’s last five games in December have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- SMU ranks 1st among FBS teams for H1 points per game this season (22.8).
- SMU ranks 4th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (95.8).
- Clemson ranks 1st among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters this season (+8.4).
- Clemson ranks 5th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.7).
SMU vs Clemson Prediction
SMU comes into this matchup with one of the best records in the country and they have won nine games in a row. The Mustangs have dominated their last two opponents, but they haven’t played a good team since beating Louisville back on October 5th. Clemson does have three losses on the season and they barely got by Pittsburgh a few games ago, but they were tested with opponents like Georgia and South Carolina this year. This should be a very good game to watch, but I think Clemson has the advantage and I think their defense will be the difference. Take the Tigers here.
