CLEMSON — Clemson has a shot at the College Football Playoff, but it won’t come easy.

After Miami was defeated by Syracuse in the final game of the regular season last week, Clemson advanced to Saturday’s ACC Championship Game. However, the Tigers’ next opponent won’t budge easily.

Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC) will face No. 8 SMU and many of the Tigers already know what they are about to face.

“The biggest thing that I’ve seen from SMU is they’ve just got good players,” offensive lineman Walker Parks said. “They’ve got good players, veteran guys who’ve played a lot of football.”

The Mustangs are strong on the defensive line, and the stats prove it. They’ve allowed the fifth least rushing yards this season in the country, as well as the fourth fewest per game.

SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC) is a tough team to run against, which will prove to be a challenge for the Tigers and running back Phil Mafah.

“They’ve got big players, they’ve got run stoppers, and they’re extremely disciplined,” Parks said. “That’s what you have to have for success as a football team, and that’s why they’ve been so successful.”

Some of the top players on the Mustangs defensive line include defensive ends Jahfari Harvey and Isaiah Smith, who have combined for 13 sacks and 55 tackles this season, and defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte, who has earned 35 tackles and five sacks himself.

Parks and the rest of the Tigers up front will have to work hard to protect quarterback Cade Klubnik and open lanes for the running game.

“I’ve watched all of the rundown, the base runs and everything, and I’ve seen why they’ve shut down the run on everybody,” Parks said. “They’ve got huge dudes that can move, too. They’re not just big space eaters. They can move and rush the passer.”

Even though the Mustangs are proven to be a very strong defensive team, the Tigers are sticking to what they always do — preparing for the game like it is any other.

“I’m the same, through and through,” Parks said. “It doesn’t matter what week it is, whether it’s Week 1, the championship, or the middle of the season. Personally, my confidence comes from preparing the same.”

Clemson will continue to prepare before they head to Charlotte to face the Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium at 8 p.m. on Saturday.