SMU at Clemson - 2025 Matchup Preview
SMU logo SMU Mustangs at Clemson TigersClemson logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
Clemson -9.5 (55.5) (-360)  Open: -11.5
Memorial Stadium - Clemson, SC  (ACC)

 
Mustangs (4 - 2) (1 - 5 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 34 - 22 (26 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#45)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Our Line: Clemson -3.5  (SP+ CLEM -2)
Projected Score: SMU: 24 - CLEM: 28 (52)
CLEM Win prob: 79% | Cover: 55%
SMU Travel: 810 miles, 1 hrs behind
Tigers (3 - 3) (2 - 4 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (180 - 46)
Avg Score : 26 - 19 (19 - 22 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#61)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (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+9.555.5
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-5.5
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+8
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-16.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville+0.5
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13

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-9.555.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Clemson vs Duke-11.5
Sat 11/8 Clemson vs Florida State-4.5
Fri 11/14 Clemson at Louisville+4
Sat 11/22 Clemson vs Furman-41
Sat 11/29 Clemson at South Carolina-3

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 (2025)
 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#36 (.27)44% (58)3441% (94)3.03 (61)12747% (30)2784.32 (49)#18 (.04)41% (59)22.338% (32)43% (83)2.38 (3)67.81.52.3
CLEM#47 (.24)46% (46)26.347% (49)3.29 (23)13045% (52)2793.72 (88)#41 (.11)40% (48)18.539% (35)41% (67)2.61 (10)501.81.2
 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)44% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)39% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6
CLEM#21 (.27)47% (24)50% (12)3.28 (29)17445% (36)2794.33 (29)#52 (.14)40% (48)43% (68)38% (36)3.64 (48)47.60.71.9



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Offense6342644.1%4.321.522405127278446%53%41%47%17%.27
CLEM Defense618.522.339.7%2.611.2 - - - - - 48%52%39%41%18%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Defense622.322.540.6%2.382.3 - - - - - 41%58%38%43%21%.04
CLEM Offense626.319.345.7%3.721.8214091302794.341%59%47%45%14%.24

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
SMU626:1921.538%75%767.81.52.36.73.2328.2
Clemson629:2821.238%53%4.8501.81.26.52.5029.6
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 Offense646% (101)41% (94)31.5127.249 (77).12 (72)3.03 (61)84% (13)10% (98)1.04 (43)
CLEM Defense648% (46)39% (35) - - - - -.01 (21)2.5 (24)79% (107)11% (43)0.87 (35)
 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 Defense641% (7)38% (32) - - - - -.06 (12)2.58 (29)59% (15)11% (51)0.86 (28)
CLEM Offense641% (120)47% (49)30.31304.38 (87).18 (46)3.29 (23)71% (83)7% (14)0.86 (111)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Offense653% (41)47% (30)2332277.88.712.115 (13)6 (102).46 (23)1.6 (49)31% (72)28% (96).35 (59)6% (93)2.2 (23)
CLEM Defense652% (89)41% (67) - - - - - - 4 (62).22 (61)1.5 (61)34% (34)32% (97).25 (61)7% (33)1.8 (25)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Defense658% (130)43% (83) - - - - - - 10 (5).11 (30)1.5 (52)35% (28)32% (98).23 (48)11% (2)2 (64)
CLEM Offense659% (17)45% (52)23.736.7278.87.611.812 (39)6 (102).29 (67)1.5 (75)25% (14)30% (75).21 (105)7% (107)1.7 (127)

SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 23.81  #22
SMU's Offense Rating: 20.49  #30
SMU's Defense Rating: -3.32  #20
2025 Talent Rating: 756.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 9%  #42
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.8  #44
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.0  #29
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.3  #59

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 23.81   Clemson: 20.03

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 8.8   Clemson: 10.6




Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 20.03  #21
Clemson's Offense Rating: 19.59  #37
Clemson's Defense Rating: -4.87  #14
2025 Talent Rating: 988.00  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 52  #12
Clemson's 2025 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Clemson's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.6  #39
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #49
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #31

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


SMU Scoring
Offense: 34 PPG
Offense on Road: 26
Defense: 22.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.5

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record on Road: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Clemson 28
SMU 24


Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
SMU 27
Clemson 23

Total Points: 50

Based on Entire Season
SMU 25
Clemson 22

Total Points: 47
Clemson Scoring
Offense: 26.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 19.3
Defense: 18.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 22.3

Clemson's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202412/07SMU31Clemson34SMU -2.5Clemson56.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Clemson111 Overs
SMU000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#22) SMU at (#21) CLEM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSMUCLEM
Power RatePwr #22 #21
SP+SP+ #44 #39
Perf GradeGrade #35 #52
OffenseOff #35 #65
DefenseDef #21 #27
Spec TeamsST #78 #22
TalentTal #64 #12
Blue ChipsBC% #42 #12

SMU Notes
(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
(5/20) OL decent LY, 4 exp'd starters, 3 P4 portal adds
(5/20) Pass D really good LY, have #1 CB, good at S
(5/3) RBs rebuild. Soph McFall #1, good depth/potential

Clemson Notes
(9/20) Def torched by Cuse. Klubnik can't carry this Off
(9/20) 1-3 and season tanking fast. Could get ugly
(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
(6/4) Can OC Riley & OL Matt Luke fix the run game?
(6/4) OL has #2 most exp in P4, OL coach Luke year 2
(5/23) CB duo of Terrelll & Hampton a top unit in CFB
(4/7) DL Parker, Woods PFF top 10, +Heldt (Pur) CFB best
(4/7) Clemson clear ACC #1, nat'l title contender
SMU on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #27
SuccessSuc #58 #48
ExplosiveExp #15 #46
PPAPPA #36 #41
PowerPwr #30 #14
SP+SP+ #29 #31
Pts POPPO #49 #10
HavocHav #99 #40
SMU Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
Run GameRun #124 #23
Run SuccessRSuc #94 #35
Run ExplRExp #43 #35
PPAExp #72 #21
Run BlockR Blk #31 -
OL YdsOLY #61 #24
Stuff RateStuff #71 #16
TackleTak -  #3
SMU Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffCLEM Def
Pass GamePass #35 #56
Pass SuccessPSuc #30 #67
Pass ExplPExl #49 #61
PPAExp #23 #61
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #1 #41
F7 HavocF7 #98 #43
DB HavocDB #93 #33
Clemson on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 59%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatCLEM OffSMU Def
Perf GradePerf #65 #21
SuccessSuc #46 #59
ExplosiveExp #65 #58
PPAPPA #47 #18
PowerPwr #37 #20
SP+SP+ #49 #59
Pts POPPO #88 #3
HavocHav #55 #11
Clemson Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 59%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffSMU Def
Run GameRun #114 #16
Run SuccessRSuc #49 #32
Run ExplRExp #111 #28
PPAExp #46 #12
Run BlockR Blk #61 -
OL YdsOLY #23 #29
Stuff RateStuff #40 #8
TackleTak -  #23
Clemson Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 59%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatCLEM OffSMU Def
Pass GamePass #47 #47
Pass SuccessPSuc #52 #83
Pass ExplPExl #75 #52
PPAExp #67 #30
Pass Block/RushP Blk #95 #60
F7 HavocF7 #14 #51
DB HavocDB #107 #2
Program Comparison
CLEM 5 Year Profile: Declining Average P4
'25 Profile: Remains Average P4

SMU 5 Year Profile: Declining Average P4
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Clemson beat SMU last year (34-31)

  
SMU's OC Casey Woods (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings13719172%16581568.7
Ty Hawkins11100%9009.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)8541554.940
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)2822628.187
Dramekco Green185513.113
Derrick McFall123002.59
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Romello Brinson32484315.175
Jalen Cooper15271218.175
Jordan Hudson15203213.537
Yamir Knight (Tr)2119029.034

View SMU's Full Roster

SMU's DC Scott Symons (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia482006
Ahmaad Moses444100
Brandon Booker331130
Cam Robertson318532
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Robertson318532
Jeffrey M'Ba (Tr)225400
Terry Webb (Tr)203301
Isaiah Smith227321
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia482006
Brandon Miyazono212105
Deuce Harmon190004

CLEM's OC Garrett Riley (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cade Klubnik13320266%15301157.6
Christopher Vizzina71450%37012.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Adam Randall7540445.439
Cade Klubnik4710422.213
Keith Adams Jr.116716.112
Gideon Davidson145604.010
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Bryant Wesco Jr.31537617.373
T.J. Moore21283113.575
Antonio Williams17171010.125
Adam Randall1916338.635

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ronan Hanafin391002
Wade Woodaz392001
Sammy Brown395212
Avieon Terrell253105
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Lawson145312
Will Heldt (Tr)227311
Stephiylan Green112210
Sammy Brown395212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Avieon Terrell253105
Ronan Hanafin391002
Sammy Brown395212