SMU is an explosive offense that piles up yards through the air while its defense generates splash plays (turnovers and sacks) and a strong pass rush — but it gives up a lot of total yards. This season, their outcomes have depended on explosive plays and turnovers, not steady efficiency. That volatility makes them dangerous but also beatable if Clemson controls the pace and avoids giving them short fields.
[notes conference rank]
OFFENSE
- Total Offense
- Total Yards: 405 ypg / 6.4 yards/play [11th] — lean pass-first but can move the ball on the ground efficiently
- Scoring Offense: averages 34 ppg — [8th]
- Passing Game
- Averages 278 yards per game (same as Clemson)
- 72% completion percentage and 164 efficiency rating [4th] – very efficient pass game
- QB Kevin Jennings — 137 of 191, 1,658 yds, 15 passing TDs, 6 INTs — high completion % and big-yardage production per game
- Run Game
- Averages 127 yds/game [10th] – the ground game is only complementary
- RB T.J. Harden: 85 carries, 415 yards, 5 TDs (4.88 avg) — useful in short-yardage/keeping defenses honest but not a dominant rushing attack
- Efficiency
- 3rd Down: 38% [11th] — not great here
- Red Zone: 84% [10th] — if they get in the red zone and score, its usually a TD (13 TDs, 3 FGs, 2 TO)
- Sacks Against: 1.83 per game [8th]
Where Clemson should attack / defend: win field position/force
SMU to drive the ball, success on early downs/exploit 3rd down weakness and look for INT opportunities (6 INTs is tied for 5th most)
DEFENSE
- Total Defense
- Yards Allowed: 423.2 ypg [16th] — pretty leaky in allowing yards
- Scoring Defense: 22 ppg [7th] — allows a lot of yards, but manage to keep opponents from scoring at will
- Pass Defense
- Yards Allowed: 316 ypg [17th] — worst in the league
- Interceptions: 10 [2nd] — secondary is quite adept at taking the ball away. This is likely going to decide the game as the Tigers give it away a lot
- Run Defense
- Yards allowed: 107 [4th] — much better at defending the run
- Efficiency
- Takeaways: 14 (4 fumbles, 10 INT) [T2nd]
- Sacks: 3.2 per game [1st] — this production is top heavy, coming primarily from DE Cameron Robertson,DL Jeffrey M’ba and DT Terry Webb. Their pressure drops off sharply after these 3
- Red Zone Defense: 64% [1st] — a good run defense, small throwing windows and a secondary that takes the ball away
Where Clemson should attack / defend: ball security/protect the ball in the passing game, force SMU to tackle in space, offensive efficiency is a must, blocking (pass and run) is critical to sustaining drives and look to neutralize the pass rush with chips, screens and even moving the QB launch point
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Field Goals: 5 for 11 (45%) — an unreliable field goal unit so far. Opponents can be confident to play for a stop inside the 35 if field goals are likely to be missed
- Punting: average 43 yds, net ~42 — very respectable punt game that can flip field position
Where Clemson should attack / defend: poor FG accuracy might allow a more aggressive defense when they get to plus territory, avoid turnovers in special teams (clean holds, fair catches when necessary)
ODDS & ENDS
- Turnover Margin: +5 — they generate takeaways at an above-average clip. Turnovers will be decisive
- Penalty / discipline: averages 68 yds/game [14th] — they are susceptible to making mistakes and playing undisciplined football
- Time of Possession: 26:19/game — they score quickly and create explosive plays rather than grinding the clock. Clemson can win by sustaining long drives to keep SMU’s offense off the field
Where Clemson should attack / defend: set the tempo — long, mistake-free drives to limit SMU possessions and expect to get a few penalties come the Tigers’ way
CONCLUSION
This is going to be a significant test for Clemson 2.0. SMU seems to be good at the things the Tigers do poorly. SMU is a very efficient and pass-forward offense that is backed by a run stopping defense that takes the ball away. We will need a clean, complimentary game to secure the win. A raucous crowd wouldn’t hurt either.
