SMU at Clemson - 2025 Matchup Preview
SMU logo SMU Mustangs at Clemson TigersClemson logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Clemson, SC  (ACC)

 
Mustangs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 37 - 22 (29 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#21)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
Our Line: Clemson -14.5   (SP+ CLEM -10)
Projected Score: SMU: 22 - CLEM: 36 (58)
CLEM Win prob: 85% | Cover: 47%
SMU Travel: 810 miles, 1 hrs behind
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (180 - 46)
Avg Score : 35 - 23 (43 - 23 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.6 - 1.4 (#3)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 5) (Bad: 2)
 
SMU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 SMU vs East Texas A&M-37
Sat 9/6 SMU vs Baylor-6.5
Sat 9/13 SMU at Missouri State-29
Sat 9/20 SMU at TCU+0.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 SMU vs Syracuse-10.5
Sat 10/11 SMU vs Stanford-21.5
Sat 10/18 SMU at Clemson+14.5
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-17.5
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+4
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-8.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville-4
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13

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

Predictions for SMU's Schedule
Clemson's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Clemson vs LSU-3.056.5
Sat 9/6 Clemson vs Troy-32.5
Sat 9/13 Clemson at Georgia Tech-16
Sat 9/20 Clemson vs Syracuse-22.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Clemson at North Carolina-21
Sat 10/11 Clemson at Boston College-20.5
Sat 10/18 Clemson vs SMU-14.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Clemson vs Duke-22.5
Sat 11/8 Clemson vs Florida State-20.5
Fri 11/14 Clemson at Louisville-11
Sat 11/22 Clemson vs Furman-49
Sat 11/29 Clemson at South Carolina-7

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 5, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 5, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, 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)36.544% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)22.139% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6
CLEM#21 (.27)47% (24)34.750% (12)3.28 (29)17445% (36)2794.33 (29)#52 (.14)40% (48)23.443% (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 Offense1436.52944.1%4.411.7234321692634.451%49%44%44%15%.24
CLEM Defense1423.423.440.1%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 Defense1422.122.236.7%3.091.6 - - - - - 44%55%39%35%18%.03
CLEM Offense1434.742.746.7%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: 13.52 #23
SMU's Offense Rating: 19.38 #38
SMU's Defense Rating: 5.86 #20
2025 Talent Rating: 776.00 #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.1 #20
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.2 #11
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #42

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 825.18
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.52   Clemson: 27.975

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.1   Clemson: 23.3




Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 27.975 #8
Clemson's Offense Rating: 31.06 #1
Clemson's Defense Rating: 3.41 #14
2025 Talent Rating: 986.00 #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 43 #15
Clemson's 2025 Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4
Clemson's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 23.3 #8
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.9 #6
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #12

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 825.18
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31


SMU Scoring
Offense: 36.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 29
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.2

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Clemson 36
SMU 22

Projected Total Points: 58
Clemson Scoring
Offense: 34.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 42.7
Defense: 23.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 23.4

Clemson's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202412/07SMU31Clemson34ClemsonSMU -2.5Clemson56.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Clemson111 Overs
SMU000 Unders

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

(#23) SMU Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 13.52 #23
Offense Rating: 19.38 #38
Defense Rating: 5.86 #20
Overall SP+ Rating: 13.1 #20
Offense SP+ Rating: 37.2 #11
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #42
Talent Rating: 776.00 #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 51%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 44%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.41 PPO
Avg Run Success 44%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Avg OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 37%
Great in Scoring Position 3.09 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Great Pass Def Success 35%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


SMU Notes
(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
(5/3) WRs Hudson/Brinson top 2, Knight (JMU) slot
(5/2) S Isaiah Nwokobia rated top 10 S via PFF
(4/4) TE Maryland great weapon, top 10 PFF, hurt LY.
SMU     Ratings Matchup     Clemson
Power #23
#8
Off #38
#1
Def #20
#14
Talent #51
#12
SP+ #20
#8
SP+ Off #11
#6
SP+ Def #42
#12

Previous Matchups
Clemson beat SMU last year (34-31)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SMU | CLEM
Depth Chart: SMU | CLEM
Rosters: SMU | CLEM
(#8) Clemson Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 27.975 #8
Offense Rating: 31.06 #1
Defense Rating: 3.41 #14
Overall SP+ Rating: 23.3 #8
Offense SP+ Rating: 39.9 #6
Defense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #12
Talent Rating: 986.00 #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 43 #15
Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
Good Offense Success Rate of 47%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.33 PPO
Great Run Success 50%
Good Pass Success 45%
Avg OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 40%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.64 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 43%
Good Pass Def Success 38%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Clemson Notes
(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
(4/5) RB biggest ? Sr WR Randall moved to RB TY
(4/5) HC Swinney one of the best. Portaling now
(4/4) OT Blake Miller a top OT via PFF
(4/4) CB A Terrell/LB W Woodaz both top 10 via PFF
(3/26) WRs are good/deep. One of the top units in CFB


  
SMU's OC Casey Woods
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings24838165%318923118.4
Tyler Van Dyke (Tr)436863%422106.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)12450524.140
Kevin Jennings10135453.559
Derrick McFall2610624.117
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)63105.224
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Yamir Knight (Tr)52605411.668
Jordan Hudson39422510.842
TJ Harden (Tr)4036819.253
Matthew Hibner24368415.380

View SMU's Full Roster
SMU's DC Scott Symons
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia953123
Robert Rahimi (Tr)826115
Zakye Barker (Tr)8112211
Ahmaad Moses646003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Smith319761
Cam Robertson296330
Jahkai Lang (Tr)122200
Zakye Barker (Tr)8112211
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Deuce Harmon282006
Robert Rahimi (Tr)826115
Isaiah Nwokobia953123

Clemson's OC Garrett Riley
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cade Klubnik30848663%36393667.5
Christopher Vizzina193456%190005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cade Klubnik11946273.955
Jay Haynes4329536.970
Keith Adams Jr.3012214.118
Antonio Williams7101114.436
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tristan Smith (Tr)76934612.354
Antonio Williams749021112.257
Bryant Wesco Jr.41708517.376
T.J. Moore45651514.541

View Clemson's Full Roster
Clemson's DC Tom Allen
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Wade Woodaz759394
Sammy Brown6612522
Khalil Barnes571034
Will Heldt (Tr)5610550
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
T.J. Parker50171151
Sammy Brown6612522
Will Heldt (Tr)5610550
Wade Woodaz759394
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Avieon Terrell4951011
Jeadyn Lukus321006
Wade Woodaz759394