Clemson entered this weekend needing Syracuse to beat Miami to make the ACC Championship, regardless of the result of its game. So even after falling 17-14 to South Carolina, the Tigers still had a slim chance if the Orange could manage to pull off the upset.

The ACC championship game next weekend is set, and while we already knew No. 9 SMU would be playing for a title in its first season in the conference, Saturday’s games led to No. 12 Clemson officially being the Mustangs’ opponent. And it’s all thanks to Syracuse — at least, according to the Orange’s head coach Fran Brown.

Syracuse head coach Fran Brown gave a shoutout to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after No. 6 Miami suffered a 42-38 upset loss to the Orange on

The implications of Syracuse’s 42-38 win over No. 6 Miami on Saturday was not lost on Orange coach Fran Brown. “Hey Dabo Swinney, congrats,” he said. “I got you in, baby!” Kyle McCord and Syracuse knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention — and possibly ended the Hurricanes’ CFP hopes — by rallying from a 21-0 deficit.

Dabo Swinney got calls from players, peers and Syracuse coach Fran Brown when Clemson clinched an ACC championship berth. Here's how Swinney reacted.

Following the game, in an interview with ESPN, Brown made sure Dabo Swinney knew what the Orange did for Clemson. It is now on Clemson to take advantage, who will face No. 9 SMU next Saturday in Charlotte for the ACC Championship and an automatic bid to the playoff.

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney revealed a recent FaceTime conversation with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown. The No. 12 Tigers came into Saturday’s matchup against No. 15 South Carolina seemingly in control of their destiny.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game after Syracuse knocked off Miami, and the Clemson coach received a call from the Syracuse coach to congratulate him.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's cellphone started blowing up with messages from players, friends and colleagues when the Tigers, still smarting after a loss to their instate rival, found out they had made the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.