ACC Coaches Lashlee and Swinney Make Their Case for Multiple CFP Bids
The ACC is holding its breath as the College Football Playoff picture comes into focus. With the conference championship game looming, the league is hoping to avoid being labeled a one-bid league. Both Rhett Lashlee of SMU and Dabo Swinney of Clemson are adamant that the ACC deserves more respect, with at least two — and possibly three — teams worthy of a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff field.
Saturday’s ACC Championship Game between SMU and Clemson carries massive implications. For SMU, the stakes are high. The Mustangs, sitting at 11-1, are currently in the playoff field. However, a loss to Clemson could jeopardize their position, especially with the SEC lobbying hard to get one of its four 9-3 teams — Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina, or Missouri — into the mix.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee didn’t mince words when discussing his team’s playoff credentials. “I think our kids have earned the right to be one of the 12 best teams in America, and I really hope the committee sees it that way,” Lashlee said. “I do hope the committee continues to value our résumé and our total body of work. The reality is, there’s two Power 4 teams that went undefeated in their conference, and that’s Oregon and us. To me, that should mean a lot.”
Statistically, SMU has a strong case. According to ESPN, the Mustangs boast the No. 9 strength of record, though their No. 75 strength of schedule raises some eyebrows. Their non-conference slate included a 10-2 BYU team and an 8-4 TCU squad. SMU’s lone loss came against BYU by just three points, a game that marked the end of Preston Stone’s tenure as starting quarterback. Since Kevin Jennings took over, SMU has been on fire, going 9-0 while averaging over 40 points per game and winning by an average margin of 20 points.
On the other side, Clemson’s path is clear: win or go home. After a disappointing 17-14 loss to South Carolina in Week 14, the Tigers need a victory in the ACC Championship to secure their playoff spot. But Swinney believes the ACC’s depth and strength this season warrant multiple bids, regardless of the outcome on Saturday.
“For SMU, they want to win the game, but they should be in no matter what. They’ve earned that. I don’t think they should be punished,” Swinney said. “I know the system is set up to be what it is, but they’re an 11-1 football team. And for us, we’ve got to win. But we control our destiny. If we’d had a great regular season, maybe we’d have that opportunity, but we’ve got to win. But SMU, they should be in.”
Adding to the ACC’s playoff hopes is Miami, which sits at 10-2. The Hurricanes were the highest-ranked ACC team in last week’s Top 25 at No. 6. However, their playoff chances took a hit after blowing a 21-point lead to Syracuse in Week 14. Miami’s losses this season came against 7-5 Georgia Tech, a team that went eight overtimes with Georgia in Week 14, and Syracuse, a 9-3 squad likely to crack the committee’s Top 25 this week.
Lashlee made a compelling argument for the ACC’s strength, saying, “I don’t think there’s any question we’ve separated ourselves as one of the top three leagues, and it’s hard to objectively argue we shouldn’t have at least two teams in the playoff. I think we should be in regardless, but you look at a Miami team that’s 10-2 … if it at least seems like schools like Tennessee and Ohio State that are 10-2 are in, then Miami should probably be looked at in the exact same vein.”
Swinney echoed Lashlee’s sentiments, adding, “I can’t imagine Miami wouldn’t be in.”
Despite the high stakes, Lashlee isn’t planning to launch a public campaign to sway the committee. He’s confident SMU’s résumé speaks for itself. “Based on what we’ve heard and what we’ve been told, I’d like to feel good about [our chances],” Lashlee said. “Hopefully [the ACC championship game] is a reward, and we’re playing for a first-round bye. But really all we can do is control our play, and we’re going to do everything we can to win a championship.”
Key Takeaways:
- SMU (11-1) and Clemson face off in the ACC Championship with playoff implications for both teams.
- SMU has the No. 9 strength of record but a weaker No. 75 strength of schedule.
- Miami (10-2) remains on the playoff bubble after a tough Week 14 loss to Syracuse.
- Both Lashlee and Swinney believe the ACC deserves multiple playoff bids.
As the ACC Championship approaches, all eyes will be on SMU, Clemson, and Miami. Will the committee reward the ACC’s depth, or will the SEC’s lobbying efforts pay off? One thing is certain: Saturday’s game will be must-watch football.
Originally Written by: David M. Hale
