NCAAF Odds: Clemson´s Wins the ACC Championship

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Clemson’s Exciting Run to the ACC Championship and Playoff Spot

Clemson’s improbable journey to the College Football Playoff culminated in a dramatic 34-31 victory over SMU in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night. With their backs against the wall, the Tigers delivered one of the most emotional performances in recent memory, fueled by high stakes and a desire to prove themselves.

The win secured the ACC title and solidified Clemson’s seventh Playoff appearance, giving them another shot at a national championship.

This unlikely path to glory was shaped by dramatic twists, including Clemson’s entry into the ACC title game thanks to Miami’s loss to Syracuse. That unexpected result gave Clemson a lifeline after a season marked by ups and downs. 

NCAAF Lines reflected the long odds Clemson faced heading into the championship, but their determination proved too strong to discount. With NCAAF Odds stacked against them, the Tigers embraced their underdog role, delivering a must-watch finale.

A Stunning Finish in Charlotte

Facing a red-hot SMU team, Clemson entered the championship as a slight favorite but knew they needed to execute flawlessly. After a hard-fought game that saw both teams exchange leads, the Tigers found themselves tied at 31 late in the fourth quarter. With just 16 seconds remaining, freshman kicker Nolan Hauser was called upon to attempt a 56-yard field goal — a daunting task given he’d already missed a 44-yarder earlier in the game.

Hauser rose to the occasion, delivering a kick that narrowly cleared the uprights. His game-winning field goal set an ACC Championship Game record and secured Clemson’s victory in walk-off fashion. The stadium erupted in celebration, with head coach Dabo Swinney sprinting across the field in an emotional display of pride and relief.

“Coach Swinney said, ‘Put it through the uprights,’ and I winked at him,” Hauser recounted. “I was like, ‘I got you.’”

Swinney, whose team was written off just weeks earlier, was effusive in his praise of the group’s perseverance. “It’s pretty special when you experience something like we just experienced,” he said.

Season of Setbacks and Redemption

Clemson’s 9-3 regular season was anything but smooth. A season-opening blowout loss to Georgia, followed by defeats to Louisville and South Carolina, left the Tigers’ postseason hopes in jeopardy. 

The loss to South Carolina was gut-wrenching for quarterback Cade Klubnik, who admitted to sitting in his car in tears after feeling his team squandered its shot at an at-large bid.

Despite the adversity, Clemson rallied when it mattered most. Their defense, which struggled against mobile quarterbacks, and an offense still seeking consistency left room for doubt. However, their ability to overcome those deficiencies highlighted the heart and grit that carried them to the ACC title.

A Fresh Playoff Opportunity

With the Playoff field set, Clemson enters as a dangerous underdog. While questions remain about their ability to contend with top-tier teams after a roller-coaster season, the Tigers’ spot in the tournament allows them to pursue a fourth national championship under Swinney.

“We have not played our best football yet, but we’re in the Playoff,” Swinney said. “I think that’s frustrating but also exciting. You get in the tournament, and anything can happen.”