The No. 17 Clemson Tigers defeated No. 8 SMU 34-31 in the ACC Championship on Saturday, putting Arizona State in position for a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Clemson took an early lead, but SMU rallied late in the fourth quarter to tie the game. With 16 seconds left, Coleman reclaimed possession, drove down the field, and kicked the game-winning 56-yard field goal.
SMU, which previously had the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye, now faces the risk of missing out on the CFP altogether. The main question is whether Clemson, as conference champion, would receive that bye or if Arizona State, ranked higher entering the weekend, would take the position.
Arizona State secured a CFP ticket by defeating Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 Championship, capping an 11-2 season that included a loss without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt. Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham stated that ASU should be a contender for the coveted first-round bye.
“I believe our performance speaks for itself—we’re 11-1 with our starting quarterback, have beaten four ranked teams, and won the Big 12 Championship,” Dillingham said following Saturday’s game. “Given the value we’ve placed on the quarterback position, I think there’s a strong case for us to earn a first-round bye, and at the very least, we should host a game.”
Before Saturday’s game, Arizona State was projected to be the 12th seed in the College Football Playoff. With their victory and SMU’s defeat, Arizona State has a strong chance of securing the No. 4 seed and hosting a CFP game at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale. The Sun Devils may make it to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
The SEC and Big Ten have clinched byes for their respective champions, but the remaining two slots, now held by SMU and Boise State, remain questionable. Boise State, ranked No. 4 after defeating UNLV in the Mountain West Championship on Friday, has a good case for retaining its first-round bye.
Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez expressed her opinion in light of the ongoing controversy.
“Participation in the College Football Playoff should be earned based on performance, not on a conference logo or patch,” added Nevarez. “Boise State, as the Mountain West champion, has proven its worth with an 11-game win streak and deserves a top-four seed, even ahead of the Big 12 champion.”
Clemson’s stunning ACC Championship victory not only guaranteed their berth in the College Football Playoff, but it also significantly increased Arizona State’s chances of receiving a first-round bye. With SMU’s loss and Arizona State’s outstanding performance in the Big 12 Championship, the Sun Devils are now in serious contention for a top-four seed. As the CFP selection process approaches, the competition for the coveted first-round bye remains tight, with Arizona State believing that their outstanding season would earn them a prime spot in the playoff bracket.
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