As we gear up for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, we’ll provide an in-depth breakdown of each contender, recapping their journey to this point and highlighting what makes them tick.
From their biggest strengths and glaring weaknesses to the path they’ll need to navigate to claim a national championship, we’ll give you everything you need to know to get ready for this new format.
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SMU Mustangs
Record: 11-2 (ACC Runner-up)
First Playoff Opponent: Penn State
Season Summary
SMU’s first season at the Power Four level was a rousing success, as the team finished the regular season 11-1 with an undefeated record in ACC play. The Mustangs won six of their eight conference games by double digits. While their playoff hopes appeared to be in danger after falling behind Clemson early in the ACC title game, Kevin Jennings led a late comeback before the Tigers hit a walk-off field goal to win it. That perseverance earned the Mustangs the final at-large playoff bid.
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