Clemson football has secured the No. 12 seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP) and is set to face the No. 5 ranked Texas Longhorns in the first round. The matchup will take place on December 21 at 4 p.m. ET at the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. This pivotal game follows Clemson’s impressive 34-31 victory over SMU, earning them the ACC championship and a spot in the CFP for the seventh time in the program’s history.
The winner of the Clemson-Texas clash will advance to face No. 4 Arizona State, the recent champions of the Big 12. With a record of 10-3, Clemson enters the playoffs fueled by momentum from their championship win. Notably, freshman kicker Nolan Hauser made a memorable 56-yard field goal during the ACC championship, setting a record for the event.
Texas, boasting an 11-2 season record, has been a formidable team, despite falling short in the SEC championship. They only suffered losses against Georgia and have a vibrant home crowd that supports them passionately. However, this matchup marks the first meeting between Clemson and Texas, adding an extra layer of excitement to the contest.
As the playoffs progress, Clemson will look to turn their fortunes around against SEC opponents, having lost two previous encounters this season. Given that Texas is favored with a spread of -10.5, the odds may seem challenging for Clemson; however, they are known for thriving in high-pressure situations.
Looking ahead, the road will not be easy, but Clemson’s resilience and strong finish to the season instill hope that they can counter the odds and make a deep playoff run, potentially surprising many along the way.
The College Football Playoff journey will continue with the first round scheduled for December 20 and 21, leading to exciting matchups across the board.