No. 8 SMU falls short in comeback bid in the ACC title game. Now the Mustangs await CFP fate

Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (20) tackles SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson, top, in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.

Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (20) tackles SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson, top, in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)


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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — SMU's magical first run through the Atlantic Coast Conference included an unbeaten regular-season record and a trip to the league championship game. It ended with a painful final-play loss Saturday night after a terrific comeback against No. 18 Clemson. Now the eighth-ranked Mustangs must wait to find out if it somehow derails their chances at a College Football Playoff bid. SMU rallied from 17 down to tie it late before falling 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal. SMU was ranked eighth in the CFP rankings. Coach Rhett Lashlee said it would be "criminal" if SMU isn't in the playoff.

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