Of course, there’s also a ton of pride at stake, too. Clemson won the conference championship in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. The Tigers feel they own the ACC and it’s tough to argue that point. SMU waltzing into the ACC and winning the conference in Year 1 would be quite an ego bruise for the more long-time members.

Fortunately for Clemson, the team received good news when Syracuse upset Miami 42-38 hours later to give the Tigers a berth in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday to play No. 8 SMU. A win would put the Tigers in the CFP.

The No. 11 Alabama football program didn't play a game on conference championship weekend meaning Crimson Tide fans had to sit and watch the action around the c