Clemson football has earned a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) as the No. 12 seed and will take on the No. 5 seed, Texas, in the first round. The match is scheduled for December 21 at 4 p.m. ET at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The winner will advance to face No. 4 Arizona State, the recent Big 12 champion.
The Tigers, with a record of 10-3, secured their CFP position following a thrilling 34-31 victory over SMU (11-2) in the ACC championship game, held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. A standout moment came from freshman kicker Nolan Hauser, who set an ACC championship game record with a remarkable 56-yard field goal.
Clemson’s challenge against Texas will be tough, as the Longhorns enter the matchup with an 11-2 record and a strong performance in the SEC. Texas suffered its two losses against top-tier teams, including Georgia, who also defeated Clemson earlier this season. The Longhorns boast substantial home-field advantage, expecting a crowd of over 100,000 fans.
According to odds from BetMGM, Clemson is listed as 10.5-point underdogs, with a moneyline of +310 against Texas at -400. The game is anticipated to be competitive, which adds excitement to the playoff atmosphere.
This CFP matchup between Clemson and Texas marks the first meeting between the two storied programs, adding to the intrigue of the game. With the remarkable journey that led Clemson to this moment and a season filled with ups and downs, the Tigers have the potential to surprise critics and fans alike.
In conclusion, while Clemson may be the underdog, the team’s resilience and dramatic playoff-clinching victory offer hope for an unexpected turn of events in this highly anticipated game. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Tigers can build on their recent momentum as they face a powerhouse program like Texas.