SMU at Clemson - 2025 Matchup Preview
SMU logo   SMU Mustangs at Clemson Tigers  Clemson logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
Clemson -3.5 (49.5) (-180)  Open: -11.5
SMU 35 - Clemson: 24  (ACC)

 
Mustangs (9 - 4) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 32 - 21 (30 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3 (#36)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Our Line: Clemson -1  (SP+ SMU -4)
Projected Score: SMU: 25 - CLEM: 26 (50)
CLEM Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
SMU Travel: 810 miles, 1 hrs behind
Tigers (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (180 - 46)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (28 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#64)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
 
SMU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 SMU vs East Texas A&M-51.065.0W 42 - 13UN
Sat 9/6 SMU vs Baylor-3.065.5L 45 - 48ON
Sat 9/13 SMU at Missouri State-29.560.5W 28 - 10UN
Sat 9/20 SMU at TCU+6.563.5L 24 - 35UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 SMU vs Syracuse-17.556.5W 31 - 18UN
Sat 10/11 SMU vs Stanford-19.555.5W 34 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 SMU at Clemson+3.549.5W 35 - 24OY
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-6.553.5L 12 - 13UN
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+8.550.5W 26 - 20UY
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-10.554.5W 45 - 13OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville-4.049.5W 38 - 6UY
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13.553.5L 35 - 38ON
Fri 1/2 SMU vs Arizona-2.555.5W 24 - 19UY

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for SMU's Schedule
Clemson's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Clemson vs LSU-3.557.5L 10 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Clemson vs Troy-31.051.5W 27 - 16UN
Sat 9/13 Clemson at Georgia Tech-2.549.5L 21 - 24UN
Sat 9/20 Clemson vs Syracuse-17.553.5L 21 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Clemson at North Carolina-15.547.5W 38 - 10OY
Sat 10/11 Clemson at Boston College-14.054.5W 41 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 Clemson vs SMU-3.549.5L 24 - 35ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Clemson vs Duke-4.555.5L 45 - 46ON
Sat 11/8 Clemson vs Florida State-1.556.5W 24 - 10UY
Fri 11/14 Clemson at Louisville+1.550.5W 20 - 19UY
Sat 11/22 Clemson vs Furman-41.555.5W 45 - 10UN
Sat 11/29 Clemson at South Carolina+2.545.5W 28 - 14UY
Sat 12/27 Clemson vs Penn State-2.547.5L 10 - 22UN

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 2, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Clemson's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SMU#38 (.24)44% (53)32.244% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)20.539% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6
CLEM#21 (.27)47% (24)27.250% (12)3.28 (29)17445% (36)2794.33 (29)#52 (.14)40% (48)20.543% (68)38% (36)3.64 (48)47.60.71.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
CLEM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Offense1432.229.844.1%4.411.7234321692634.451%49%44%44%15%.24
CLEM Defense1420.52440.1%3.641.9 - - - - - 46%53%43%38%19%.14
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Defense1420.522.236.7%3.091.6 - - - - - 44%55%39%35%18%.03
CLEM Offense1427.22846.7%4.330.7244521742795.243%56%50%45%13%.27

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
SMU1428:2822.644%50%8.177.71.71.66.63.1331.1
Clemson1430:2923.944%59%4.947.60.71.96.12.5230.1
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SMU Offense1451% (65)44% (62)38.3168.94.429 (18).12 (77)2.97 (83)70% (90)9% (49)0.93 (86)
CLEM Defense1446% (20)43% (68) - - - - .15 (84)2.93 (54)59% (8)11% (38)1.12 (119)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SMU Defense1444% (9)39% (35) - - - - -.05 (2)2.72 (25)60% (10)11% (36)0.81 (6)
CLEM Offense1443% (113)50% (12)33.6173.85.223 (52).24 (19)3.28 (29)72% (78)8% (40)0.96 (69)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Offense1449% (70)44% (45)19.931.2262.98.413.228 (15)12 (85).37 (19)1.8 (11)33% (94)34% (34).47 (17)6% (69)2.3 (13)
CLEM Defense1453% (114)38% (36) - - - - - - 16 (10).15 (28)1.6 (60)35% (26)32% (90).3 (66)8% (20)2 (64)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Defense1455% (124)35% (10) - - - - - - 16 (10).11 (17)1.7 (107)37% (7)27% (21).16 (12)7% (30)2.1 (96)
CLEM Offense1456% (23)45% (36)23.637.8278.57.411.837 (2)7 (26).33 (38)1.5 (79)30% (39)38% (6).58 (4)5% (21)2.1 (39)

SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 13.45  #29
SMU's Offense Rating: 19.12  #33
SMU's Defense Rating: 5.67  #26
2025 Talent Rating: 756.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 9%  #42
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 8.7 - 4.3
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.4  #23
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.2  #22
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.5  #25

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.45   Clemson: 14.54

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.4   Clemson: 9.5




Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 14.54  #24
Clemson's Offense Rating: 17.99  #38
Clemson's Defense Rating: 3.41  #16
2025 Talent Rating: 988.00  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 52  #12
Clemson's 2025 Expected Record: 7.4 - 5.6
Clemson's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.5  #34
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5  #65
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.9  #24

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


SMU Scoring
Offense: 32.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.2

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 9
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Clemson 26
SMU 25


Projected Total Points: 50
Clemson Scoring
Offense: 27.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 28
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Clemson's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 9
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 6 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 6 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/18Clemson24SMU35Clemson -3.5SMU49.5Over
202412/07SMU31Clemson34SMU -2.5Clemson56.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Clemson112 Overs
SMU110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 20 - 20 - 20 - 0
Road Teams2 - 02 - 00 - 02 - 0

(#29) SMU at (#24) CLEM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSMUCLEM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #29 #24
SP+SP+ #23 #34
Perf GradeGrade #20 #50
OffenseOff #36 #65
DefenseDef #20 #33
Spec TeamsST #60 #30
TalentTal #64 #12
Blue ChipsBC% #42 #12
SMU Notes
(10/31) Lashlee extended, will remain at SMU
(10/23) SMU has won 20 straight conference games (Wk 9)
(10/19) Big W @ Clemson, Run Def great, Jennings good
(10/19) SMU has not lost a reg season ACC game, 11-0
(9/20) Run Off bad, Jennings TOs & Def are major issues
(9/20) Def allowing 41.5 pts vs real competition, woof
(7/27) S Isaiah Nwokobia & Ahmaad Moses great duo
(6/14) Same HC, OC, DC, S&C coaches for 4 years
(5/28) OT PJ Williams a future star, 900+ snaps of A ball
(5/28) Def good LY, must replace a lot, 13 portal adds
(5/20) DL added 10 portals (7 from P4), both DEs back
(5/20) LB replaces most, 2 productive G5 portal adds
SMU Injury Report
Clemson Notes
(11/2) Things are getting toxic with HC Swinney
(11/2) 1-4 at home going into FSU game. Beat Troy
(11/2) Off great, Def torched, ST's cost bad in Duke L
(10/21) Top WR Bryant Wesco out for season (back inj)
(10/19) 5 straight losses at home vs FBS after SMU loss
(10/19) QB Vizzina was good, but Run Off putrid in SMU L
(10/16) QB Klubnik apparently injured, may miss SMU
(9/20) Def torched by Cuse. Klubnik can't carry this Off
(9/18) Get LT Leigh, WR Williams, S Barnes back (Cuse)
(9/15) Off just bad, Klubnick asked to carry too much
(8/30) Run game awful, OL awful. Not an elite team
(6/6) OL returns 5/5, a top 10 unit in all CFB
Clemson Injury Report
SMU on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #36 #33
SuccessSuc #53 #48
ExplosiveExp #21 #106
PPAPPA #38 #52
PowerPwr #33 #16
SP+SP+ #22 #24
Pts POPPO #25 #48
HavocHav #46 #20
SMU Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
Run GameRun #88 #35
Run SuccessRSuc #62 #68
Run ExplRExp #86 #119
PPAExp #77 #84
Run BlockR Blk #22 -
OL YdsOLY #83 #54
Stuff RateStuff #57 #44
TackleTak -  #11
SMU Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
Pass GamePass #32 #62
Pass SuccessPSuc #45 #36
Pass ExplPExl #11 #60
PPAExp #19 #28
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #6 #39
F7 HavocF7 #49 #38
DB HavocDB #69 #20
Clemson on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatCLEM OffSMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #65 #20
SuccessSuc #24 #9
ExplosiveExp #70 #69
PPAPPA #21 #5
PowerPwr #38 #26
SP+SP+ #65 #25
Pts POPPO #29 #13
HavocHav #25 #29
Clemson Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffSMU Def
Run GameRun #105 #13
Run SuccessRSuc #12 #35
Run ExplRExp #69 #6
PPAExp #19 #2
Run BlockR Blk #79 -
OL YdsOLY #29 #25
Stuff RateStuff #53 #27
TackleTak -  #14
Clemson Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatCLEM OffSMU Def
Pass GamePass #29 #29
Pass SuccessPSuc #36 #10
Pass ExplPExl #79 #107
PPAExp #38 #17
Pass Block/RushP Blk #73 #26
F7 HavocF7 #40 #36
DB HavocDB #21 #30
Program Comparison
CLEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'25 Profile: Down to Average P4

SMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 8
Clemson -3.5 (49.5)
SMU won at Clemson this year (35-24)

Previous Matchups
SMU beat Clemson last year (35-24)
Clemson beat SMU in 2024 (34-31)

  
SMU's OC Casey Woods (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings30045466%364126138.0
Charlie Fiser44100%30007.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)17178794.653
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)6747947.187
Derrick McFall3518945.448
Dramekco Green259013.615
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Hudson61766612.670
Romello Brinson43638314.875
Yamir Knight (Tr)54637511.861
Matthew Hibner31436414.180

View SMU's Full Roster

SMU's DC Scott Symons (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ahmaad Moses1046103
Isaiah Nwokobia802007
Brandon Booker693142
Alex Kilgore604002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Smith5318941
Terry Webb (Tr)467624
Jeffrey M'Ba (Tr)428600
Cam Robertson5210543
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Miyazono445208
Isaiah Nwokobia802007
Deuce Harmon341017

CLEM's OC Garrett Riley (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cade Klubnik25739266%29431667.5
Christopher Vizzina457163%406415.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Adam Randall168814104.846
Gideon Davidson6026004.328
Chris Denson7108115.450
Cade Klubnik839441.113
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
T.J. Moore52837416.175
Antonio Williams55604411.064
Bryant Wesco Jr.31537617.373
Adam Randall3625437.135

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sammy Brown10714665
Wade Woodaz707123
Ronan Hanafin642004
Avieon Terrell485308
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Will Heldt (Tr)46156102
Sammy Brown10714665
T.J. Parker379571
Jaheim Lawson197443
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Avieon Terrell485308
Ashton Hampton453108
Sammy Brown10714665