SMU now controls its own destiny in the ACC. The playoff doesn’t sound too wild, either.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas The majority of the postgame questions focused on either the small-picture details of how SMU orchestrated its most complete win of the season or the big-picture probes that asked how the Mustangs arrived at this juncture in the first place.

The answers, for the most part, related back to focus, belief and execution.

The shortest response mightve meant the most though.

Did yall see that Clemson lost? one reporter asked Saturday night after No.

20 SMUs 48-25 win over previously unbeaten No.

18 Pitt.

Yeah, defensive back Ahmad Walker said, and let a subtle grin creep across his face.

Walker didnt expand on his one-word answer.

Didnt have to, either, because the smile said it all: SMU, after its win vs.

Pitt and Clemsons first conference loss to Louisville on Saturday, now controls its own destiny in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Mustangs (8-1, 5-0) are one of two teams with an unblemished conference record alongside undefeated Miami, and because the ACC does not have divisions, the conference championship will be played between the two teams with the best league record.

In other words: The Mustangs are guaranteed a spot in the ACC championship game if they win their last three regular-season games.

Its nice to have a say in how things shake out, isnt it? Thats what weve been working towards all year, said Walker, a Liberty transfer.

So thats what were going to do.

The Mustangs climbed to No.

13 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday.

They havent been ranked that high since 1985 before the death penalty and only one ACC team (No.

4 Miami) is ranked above them.

The USA Today coaches poll has the Mustangs at No.

15.

ESPNs Football Power Index ranks them No.

16.

They are, according to the major evaluators, squarely in the mix of things.

Still, theyll wait a beat longer for the most-major validation.

Tuesday, the rankings that matter come out, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said.

Dont get me wrong, weve been humbled to be ranked in the AP poll and in the coaches poll.

Thats a big deal for our program anytime definitely in year one [as an ACC team].

But now, Tuesday night, you find out the group whose rankings matter now the rest of the way think about you.

The first of six College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled on Tuesday night.

The selection committee, which consists of athletic directors, former players and coaches, will rank teams Nos.

1 through 25 to determine a 12-team field that will compete in the first expanded postseason.

The five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams overall will make up the field.

The Mustangs have the 13th-best odds (a 47% chance) to make the playoffs, according to ESPNs predictor.

An ACC championship would, theoretically, punch SMUs ticket into the postseason and could even land it a first-round bye.

The selection committee could also vote the Mustangs into the postseason without a conference championship in hand if it felt that their body of work was strong enough without one.

As CFP Executive Director Rich Clark said Wednesday, were not trying to pick the most deserving teams, were trying to pick the best teams.

Were just ignoring it, Walker said.

Just playing football.

Its a smart strategy.

Its a practical one, too.

If the Mustangs beat Boston College, Virginia and Cal to finish the season, theyll become the first Group of Five transplant to reach a conference title game in their first season as a power conference team.

Lashlee, of course, swatted back most championship talk on Saturday night.

The Mustangs will host Boston College, which they lost to in last years Fenway Bowl, in two weeks after a bye.

Theyll travel to Virginia one week later and welcome a once-ranked Cal team to Gerald J.

Ford Stadium the week after.

Weve got three games left, Lashlee said.

If we go out and dont take care of our business, then it doesnt matter.

Fair, but, it cant hurt that the Mustangs have played themselves into a position to operate that way.

Were not done, weve not accomplished anything yet, Lashlee said.

But weve put ourselves in a position that in the middle of November, were competing for a conference championship in the ACC in our first year in the league.

I think our players and our staff deserve a ton of credit for that.

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