Alabama football won't be in action in the SEC championship this weekend, but the Crimson Tide will be keenly watching another conference championship on Saturday night: the ACC title game between No. 8 SMU and No. 17 Clemson.

No. 18 Clemson has another chance to make the College Football Playoff when it plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game against No. 8 SMU on Saturday.

Fortunately for Clemson, the team received good news when Syracuse upset Miami 42-38 hours later to give the Tigers a berth in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday to play No. 8 SMU. A win would put the Tigers in the CFP.