SMU’s Rhett Lashlee Makes Strong Case for CFP Spot Ahead of ACC Championship
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The stakes couldn’t be higher for the SMU Mustangs as they prepare to face No. 17 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night. But if you ask SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, his team’s spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) should already be locked in, regardless of the game’s outcome. And he’s not shy about saying so.
“The reason I know we should be in is because the committee has ranked us in. They’ve said we’re good enough,” Lashlee declared during Friday’s ACC Championship Game news conference. “The regular season is complete. All 134 teams have played their regular season. It is over.”
SMU (11-1) enters the game ranked No. 8 in the latest CFP selection committee rankings, a position Lashlee believes cements their place in the 12-team playoff field. The Mustangs, in their first year in the ACC, are the only team to have completed league play with a perfect 8-0 record. Meanwhile, Clemson (9-3) is looking to play spoiler and claim the conference title.
“The Case Is Closed”
Lashlee didn’t mince words when making his case for SMU’s inclusion in the playoff. “The case is closed on that, and they said you’re the eighth-best team in the country,” he said. “They said you’re better than two other teams that are currently in the field for an at-large. You’re better than them. Those teams didn’t earn the right to play in a conference championship game, and we did. So I don’t get how you could punish anybody for that.”
His comments come amid growing debate about how conference championship games factor into the expanded playoff format. Some coaches have expressed concerns that playing in an extra game could hurt a team’s chances if they lose, while teams that don’t play remain unaffected.
Selection Committee’s Wiggle Room
While Lashlee is confident in his team’s standing, the CFP selection committee has left the door open for potential movement. Committee chair Warde Manuel was asked Tuesday whether SMU could fall behind No. 11 Alabama (9-3) with a loss. His response? “Potentially yes.”
Manuel elaborated, saying, “They can move above teams, as well. Again, it just depends on the outcome of the game.” He also clarified that teams not playing this weekend are essentially locked into their current rankings, while those competing in championship games could see their positions shift.
Lashlee, however, isn’t buying the idea that a team ranked lower could leapfrog SMU. “If the team ranked No. 9 can’t jump the team ranked No. 7 because neither of them played, then there’s no way the team ranked ninth or 11th can jump the team ranked eighth or fifth or whatever because they are playing this week,” he argued.
Integrity Over Strategy
Despite the potential risks, Lashlee said the idea of skipping the ACC Championship Game to protect their ranking never crossed his mind. “We did the right thing. We showed up. We value the opportunity to play in a conference championship game,” he said. “We value the opportunity to go compete with Dabo [Swinney] and Clemson for an ACC championship. That is a big deal.”
For Lashlee, the chance to win the ACC title is about more than just playoff seeding. “To have a chance to win our league, it’s a bigger deal than just playing for seeding, though that’s a part of it, too. But that’s the right thing to do. To me, that’s integrity. We’re going to show up and do the right thing and not find a way to bounce out because we were told on Tuesday night that if you don’t play, you’re in at 8.”
He also expressed faith in the selection committee to make the right call. “We believe and trust they’re going to do the right thing and reward our guys who’ve earned the right not only to play here tomorrow night but to be one of the 12 best teams in America because they ranked them that,” Lashlee said.
What’s at Stake
As the Mustangs prepare for their showdown with Clemson, here’s what you need to know:
- SMU’s Record: 11-1 overall, 8-0 in ACC play.
- Clemson’s Record: 9-3 overall, ranked No. 17 in the CFP rankings.
- Playoff Implications: SMU is currently ranked No. 8, with an automatic playoff berth on the line.
- Debate: The role of conference championship games in the expanded playoff era remains a hot topic.
Saturday night’s game isn’t just about a trophy—it’s about proving SMU belongs among the nation’s elite. And if Lashlee’s confidence is any indication, the Mustangs are ready to make their case on the field.
Originally Written by: Andrea Adelson
