Clemson will face Texas in the College Football Playoff on December 21 at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, marking head coach Dabo Swinney’s third visit to this historic venue. The Tigers, ranked as the No. 12 seed with a record of 10-3, will compete against the No. 5 seed Longhorns, who have an 11-2 record. The game, scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on TNT. The winning team will advance to face the No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on January 1 in Atlanta.
Swinney’s history with the stadium includes his first visit in February 2009, shortly after he was appointed head coach of Clemson, where he sought insight from former Longhorns coach Mack Brown. His second trip was for a Texas high school playoff game, where he scouted future Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. Now, as he prepares for this playoff game, Swinney expresses his excitement for the opportunity to play at such a renowned location.
Though he hasn’t yet delved deeply into game plans against Texas, Swinney acknowledges the impressive job done by Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. Last year, Texas reached the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed and is making a return in this expanded 12-team format after joining the SEC and competing in the championship against Georgia last Saturday.
This game will also hold special significance for several Clemson players from Texas, including Klubnik, who is eager to return home. Additionally, the matchup will be personal for former Clemson defensive back Andrew Mukuba, who transferred to Texas after spending three seasons with the Tigers. Swinney praised Mukuba’s contributions during his time at Clemson, reflecting on their shared history.
Sarkisian also noted the excitement surrounding this historic clash, emphasizing that it will be the first time Texas and Clemson meet on the football field. He acknowledges Clemson’s status as a consistent contender in the College Football Playoff landscape, having claimed two national championships and made numerous playoff appearances. Sarkisian recalled his experiences recruiting Klubnik, expressing surprise at his decision to join Clemson over Texas.
As the teams prepare for this highly anticipated playoff encounter, Clemson has been given a 15.6% chance of victory, the lowest among the opening round matches, according to ESPN’s analytics.
This matchup not only showcases the growth and potential of both programs but also brings a sense of excitement for fans eager to witness history in the making as these two storied teams face off for the first time in a playoff setting.
Summary: Clemson will meet Texas in the College Football Playoff on December 21, with Dabo Swinney leading the Tigers in his third visit to the venue. The game is significant for players from Texas, including quarterback Cade Klubnik. Both coaches reflect on their shared history and the importance of this matchup, which is a first between the two programs in a playoff context. Despite Clemson’s lower odds of winning, the game presents an opportunity for the Tigers to create history and potentially advance in the playoffs.