SMU Coach Rhett Lashlee's Furious Plea: 'It’d Be Criminal if We AccomplishMake the College Football Playoff' After Heartbreaking Loss to Clemson
The SMU Mustangs’ season ended in heartache this past Saturday night, as they were defeated 34-31 by the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship. Despite the devastating loss, SMU’s head coach Rhett Lashlee couldn’t hide his frustration, saying that it would be "criminal" if his team was left out of the College Football Playoff (CFP). The Mustangs (11-2) had fought all season to earn a spot, finishing the regular season as the only undefeated team in ACC play. However, despite their heroic effort and a near-miraculous comeback, their championship hopes were dashed in the final seconds of the game.
The game had everything—drama, excitement, and a true underdog story. The Mustangs were down 24-7 at halftime, but they didn’t give up. They fought tooth and nail, clawing their way back into the game. It all came down to a thrilling final play, when SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings delivered a clutch 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. in the corner of the end zone with only 16 seconds left on the clock, tying the game at 31-31.
The Final Seconds: A Heartbreaking End to a Bold Comeback
But just when it seemed like the Mustangs might pull off an epic victory, Clemson responded with a dramatic play of their own. SMU’s excitement quickly turned to despair as Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, giving Clemson great field position. In the final three seconds, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard completion, setting up a 56-yard field goal attempt by Nolan Hauser. The clock ticked down, and as the ball sailed through the uprights, the Tigers erupted in celebration. The Mustangs, meanwhile, were left walking off the field with their heads down, devastated by the loss.
For SMU, the defeat raised a pressing question: Would they still be considered for an at-large bid to the CFP, or would they be completely left out? With the College Football Playoff rankings about to be released the next day, Lashlee’s emotions were palpable.
Lashlee’s Defiant Words: ‘We Deserve a Chance’
In his post-game press conference, Lashlee didn’t hold back, delivering a passionate defense of his team’s deserving place in the playoff. “It’d be criminal if we’re not in,” Lashlee said, clearly frustrated by the possibility of being left out. “It’d be wrong on so many levels. Not just for our team but for college football as a whole. We showed up and we competed our butts off. We should be in. They know we should be in.”
Lashlee’s words carried weight—his team had done everything right this season. They had been dominant in ACC play, and their performance in the championship game was nothing short of courageous. To him, not giving them a chance at the playoff would undermine the very principles of fairness that college football is supposed to represent. “It would break all the principles of what we’ve been told,” Lashlee continued. “So we’ll see what happens.”
SMU’s Roller Coaster of Emotions: Hope to Despair
For the players, the game was an emotional roller coaster. Kevin Jennings, who had been a key player in SMU’s near-comeback, said there were “a lot of emotions” running through his mind when Hauser’s kick went through the posts. The quarterback, who had struggled early with two turnovers but found his rhythm in the second half, believed the Mustangs had proven their worth. “Hopefully, we showed what we can do all year, and they put us in [the playoff],” Jennings said. “But there’s no telling. So I’m praying we get the spot.”
It was clear that despite the heartbreaking loss, Jennings and his teammates felt they had shown they could compete with anyone in college football. They had pushed Clemson to the brink, forcing them to make a last-second play to win the game. For many, the defeat felt less like a loss and more like a missed opportunity for greatness.
The ACC’s History with the Playoff: Will SMU Be Left Out?
The stakes couldn’t be higher for SMU as the CFP selection committee prepared to release its rankings. The Mustangs weren’t the only team with a lot on the line. Just last season, the ACC saw its champion, Florida State, left out of the playoff despite an undefeated record. Instead, Alabama, which had lost two games during the regular season, earned a spot in the playoff, causing a stir among fans and analysts. This year, the committee’s decision seemed just as uncertain.
SMU had finished the regular season ranked No. 8 in the CFP rankings, an impressive accomplishment. However, with the new 12-team playoff format, there are no guarantees outside of the automatic spots for conference champions. Could SMU be left out, despite their strong record and valiant effort in the ACC Championship? It was a question on everyone’s mind.
SMU’s Athletic Director Speaks Out: ‘We’ve Earned Our Spot’
SMU’s athletic director, Rick Hart, also weighed in, making a strong case for why the Mustangs deserved to be included in the CFP. “That game could have gone either way,” Hart said after the loss to Clemson. “I didn’t see anything tonight—that I haven’t seen recently—that would change where we’re slotted.” Hart remained confident that SMU had done enough throughout the season to earn a spot, regardless of the outcome of the championship game.
When asked about his faith in the selection committee, Hart was diplomatic but hopeful. “I have faith that they’re good people who are well-intended,” he said. The committee would soon decide the fate of the Mustangs, and Hart was holding onto the belief that SMU’s impressive season would earn them the respect they deserved.
No Watch Party, Just Waiting for the Call
In a quiet show of determination, SMU would not be holding a watch party for the CFP selection on Sunday. Coach Lashlee had already made it clear that regardless of the result, his team had done everything it could to earn a spot in the playoff. In the face of a brutal loss and the uncertainty of what would come next, SMU’s focus remained clear: they had given their all this season, and now, they hoped the system would reward them for their efforts.
Lashlee was resolute in his belief that his team had done enough. Even if they had lost, he argued, SMU had played a full season of dominant football, finishing as the only undefeated team in ACC play and taking a top-ranked Clemson team down to the wire. “They have unequivocally earned a spot in the playoff,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement late Saturday night, reiterating Lashlee’s point. “Penalizing a team that finished the regular season ranked No. 8, and played an additional game for a conference championship, would create dangerous repercussions for the sport.”
The Final Verdict: Will SMU Get Their Shot?
Now, the college football world is left waiting to see if SMU will get the recognition it deserves. The committee’s decision could have a profound impact not only on the Mustangs but on the way the playoff is viewed in the future. If SMU, despite their heartbreaking loss, is left out, it could send a message about how much weight is placed on conference championships compared to overall performance throughout the season. The Mustangs, however, have made one thing clear: they are ready to compete with the best, and they deserve the chance to prove it on the grand stage.
Will SMU make the College Football Playoff? As the clock ticks toward the final rankings, all eyes are on the selection committee. One thing is for sure: this team has earned its shot. Now, it’s up to the committee to decide if they’ll get it.
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