No. 5 seed Texas hosts No. 12 seed Clemson in a highly anticipated College Football Playoff first-round showdown at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The winner will advance to face No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day. Both programs bring rich traditions to the field, but this marks their first-ever meeting. Texas enters the matchup as a 12-point favorite, the largest spread of any first-round game.
Texas looks to rebound after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC championship, while Clemson secured its playoff spot with a dramatic 34-31 win over SMU in the ACC championship. With two storied programs clashing in Austin, expect a high-stakes battle to kick off the playoff excitement.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson’s offense is led by junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 3,303 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only five interceptions this season. Klubnik is also a threat on the ground, adding 458 rushing yards and seven scores. Running back Phil Mafah, despite a shoulder injury requiring postseason surgery, will suit up and has tallied 1,106 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Tigers’ defense has had an up-and-down year but stepped up in key moments. They allow an average of 296.8 yards per game, ranking ninth nationally. For Clemson to pull off the upset, they’ll need a strong performance from both sides of the ball to contain Texas’ high-powered offense and protect Klubnik, especially against Texas’ elite pass rush.
Texas Longhorns
Texas is powered by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has thrown for 2,665 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. After playing through a sprained ankle in the SEC championship, Ewers and Outland Trophy-winning left tackle Kelvin Banks are expected to be fully healthy. This bodes well for the Longhorns, who have one of the nation’s most balanced offenses.
Defensively, Texas has been dominant, allowing just 249.8 yards per game, which ranks third nationally. The unit is anchored by a fierce pass rush and a secondary that has limited opponents to a mere 142.9 passing yards per game, best in the nation. The Longhorns will look to disrupt Klubnik’s rhythm and capitalize on their home-field advantage.
Prediction
Texas holds the edge in this matchup with a stifling defense and the ability to control the game offensively. Clemson will need a near-flawless performance from Klubnik and Mafah to stay competitive, but the Tigers have struggled against top-tier defenses this season. Expect Texas to leverage its home-field advantage and advance to the next round.
While Clemson has the talent to make this game interesting, Texas’ overall balance and depth will likely prove too much for the Tigers to overcome.
- Pick: Texas 31, Clemson 17
