Week 8 of the 2025 college football season features an intriguing matchup between the SMU Mustangs and the Clemson Tigers. The game is set to take place at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ACCN. The SMU Mustangs come into this game with a 4-2 record, having shown strength in their recent outings. They notched a 34-10 victory over Stanford, followed by a 31-18 win against Syracuse. With a road record of 1-1, the Mustangs aim to secure a crucial win in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. On the other side, the Clemson Tigers hold a 3-3 record this season and are looking to improve their home performance, currently standing at 1-2. They are riding the momentum of two consecutive road victories, defeating Boston College 41-10 and North Carolina 38-10. This game presents an opportunity for Clemson to bolster their conference standing with a win at home.
Clemson vs SMU At a Glance
- Game Location: Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC
- Game Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- TV Broadcast: ACCN
- SMU Mustangs Record: 4-2 overall, 2-0 in conference
- Clemson Tigers Record: 3-3 overall, 2-2 in conference
- Moneyline Odds: SMU +271, Clemson -343
Clemson Tigers: Dominance on the Gridiron
Offensive Performance
The Clemson Tigers have shown a balanced offensive attack in the 2025 season, scoring 158 points to rank 59th in the nation. Their aerial assault is particularly effective, with 1,673 passing yards securing the 29th spot. However, their ground game needs improvement, ranking 94th with 781 rushing yards.
First downs have been a significant strength for Clemson, accumulating 127 to rank 32nd. This indicates their ability to sustain drives and control the tempo of the game. In the 2024 season, Clemson’s offense was more prolific, highlighted by their 14th-ranked point total of 486.
Defensive Strength
Clemson’s defense has been a force to reckon with, conceding only 111 points, placing them 59th in the nation. Their pass rush has been outstanding, with 16 sacks ranked 10th. The Tigers’ secondary has also been effective, ranking 5th in interceptions with 4.
Fumble recoveries are another area where Clemson shines, ranking 6th with 3 recoveries. This defensive prowess helps in creating turnovers and giving the offense more opportunities. Compared to the previous season, the defense has tightened up significantly from the 328 points allowed, which ranked them 100th.
Recent Game Performances
In recent games, Clemson has been impressive, defeating Boston College 41-10 and North Carolina 38-10. Their only two losses were close contests against Syracuse and Georgia Tech. This resilience in close games suggests a team capable of learning and adapting from setbacks.
Offensively, the passing game has been the standout, with Clemson racking up 278 yards against Boston College and 399 yards against North Carolina. Defensively, they have managed to keep opponents’ rushing yards in check, allowing just 85 against Boston College.
Player Highlights
Cade Klubnik leads the charge as Clemson’s quarterback with 1,530 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking him among the top in the league. Adam Randall is a key figure in the rushing department, amassing 404 yards and 4 touchdowns. Bryant Wesco Jr. excels in receiving, with 537 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Christian Bentancur has been a reliable target at tight end, contributing 93 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. On special teams, Nolan Hauser has been dependable, converting 6 field goals and 20 extra points. These individual performances highlight the depth and talent present in the Clemson lineup.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – Home Games: 24-6 (80.0%) over the last 30 games.
- SU – After Loss: 14-2 (87.5%) in the last 16 games.
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: 23-7 (76.7%) over the last 30 games.
- SU – Away Games: 7-1 (87.5%) over the last 8 games.
- SU – As Favorite: 19-7 (73.1%) over the last 26 games.
- SU – All Games: 17-6 (73.9%) over the last 23 games.
- SU – After Win: 20-10 (66.7%) over the last 30 games.
The SMU Mustangs Ready to Challenge the Clemson Tigers
Offensive Performance
The SMU Mustangs’ offense has been a notable component this season, ranking 30th in passing yards with a total of 1667 yards. However, their rushing game hasn’t been as impressive, sitting at 96th with 764 yards. Despite this, their ability to secure first downs, ranking 30th with 129, reflects a strong offensive line that can maintain drives.
Last season, the Mustangs showcased an impressive offensive output, ranking 7th with 511 points. Their high passing yardage of 3666 positioned them 18th, while their rushing yardage placed them 36th. This demonstrates a balanced offensive approach that can adapt to various defensive schemes.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Mustangs have excelled in creating turnovers and pressuring quarterbacks. They rank 7th in sacks with 19 and 11th in interceptions with 10, showcasing their defensive line’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Their ability to recover fumbles, ranking 5th with four recoveries, highlights their opportunistic nature on defense.
Compared to last season, SMU’s defense has improved marginally in points against, moving up from 88th to 78th. Consistency in sacks and turnovers suggests a reliable defensive unit capable of stifling opponents. The combination of strong defensive plays and efficient offense makes SMU a formidable opponent.
Recent Game Insights
SMU’s recent performance includes a decisive 34-10 win against Stanford, emphasizing their defensive prowess. They limited Stanford to only 75 rushing yards and capitalized on turnovers with zero fumbles and interceptions. This victory follows a win against Syracuse, where the Mustangs put up 31 points, showcasing offensive consistency.
In their away game against TCU, the Mustangs fell short 35-24, highlighting challenges in defending against high-powered offenses. However, their ability to keep the game competitive until the end shows resilience. Earlier in the season, a close game against Baylor, ending 48-45, revealed both their offensive potential and defensive vulnerabilities.
Player Contributions
Quarterback Kevin Jennings has been pivotal for SMU, leading with 1658 passing yards and ranking 1st on the team in this category. His 15 passing touchdowns also rank him 1st, highlighting his ability to lead the offense effectively. On the ground, TJ Harden stands out with 414 rushing yards, contributing significantly to SMU’s offensive versatility.
Wide receiver Romello Brinson has been Jennings’ primary target, accumulating 484 receiving yards, positioning him as a key player in the passing game. RJ Maryland, a tight end, adds depth to their aerial attack with two receiving touchdowns. Collectively, these players form a balanced offensive unit capable of challenging defenses.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 27-3 (90.0%) in the last 30 games (2022–2025).
- SU – All Games: 24-4 (85.7%) in the last 28 games (2023–2025).
- SU – After Loss: 9-0 (100.0%) in the last 9 games (2022–2025).
- SU – Away Games: 11-1 (91.7%) in the last 12 games (2023–2025).
- ATS – After Win: 18-12 (60.0%) in the last 30 games (2022–2025).
- O/U – Home Games: 16-11 (59.3%) in the last 27 games (2021–2025).
Clemson vs SMU Prediction: Over 55.5
The upcoming game between Clemson and SMU sets a total line at 55.5 points, and given both teams’ offensive capabilities, the over seems a likely outcome. SMU has managed to score 204 points this season, showcasing their ability to put points on the board efficiently. Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense, with 158 points, has proven effective, especially after their commanding 41-10 win over Boston College.
Considering the defensive stats, SMU has allowed 134 points this season, while Clemson’s defense has given up 111 points. Both defenses have been relatively porous, which may result in higher-scoring opportunities for both offenses. This combination of potent offenses and average defenses suggests a game that could easily surpass the projected total.
Historically, when these two teams have met, the games have tended to be higher-scoring affairs, such as their last meeting which ended 34-31 in favor of Clemson. This past performance aligns with the expectation of a high-scoring game. Given these factors, the over is an appealing pick for this game.
A projected final score of Clemson 38, SMU 27 suggests a total of 65 points, comfortably clearing the over line of 55.5. With both teams equipped to move the ball and score, an offensive showcase is anticipated.
- Clemson vs SMU Prediction: Over 55.5
- Clemson vs SMU Score: Clemson 38 – SMU 27
