CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney is set to return to Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium for just the third time as Clemson takes on Texas in the College Football Playoff. The No. 12 seeded Tigers (10-3) will face the No. 5 seeded Longhorns (11-2) on December 21 at 4 p.m. ET, airing on TNT. The winner will proceed to play No. 4 seed Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 1 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Swinney’s initial visit to Austin was in February 2009 after he was hired as Clemson’s head coach, where he sought guidance from former Longhorns coach Mack Brown. His next trip was to attend a Texas high school playoff game, scouting future Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. Now, he looks to clinch a playoff victory after the Tigers secured their position by defeating SMU in a thrilling finish at the ACC championship on Saturday.
“What a magical historical place to go play a football game,” remarked Swinney. “I never played Texas, I’ve never played in that stadium, so I’m super excited about it.”
While Swinney hasn’t conducted an in-depth analysis of Texas yet, he acknowledges the accomplishments of Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. Texas made the College Football Playoff last year as a No. 3 seed in the previous four-team format and returns to the competition this season after a challenging year in the SEC that ended with a loss to Georgia in the championship game.
This playoff matchup is especially significant for seven Clemson players from Texas, including Klubnik, freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr., and safety R.J. Mickens. Additionally, it marks a reunion for Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba, who transferred from Clemson last year after an impressive three-season tenure with the Tigers. Swinney reflected on Mukuba’s contributions, saying, “Andrew was a great player for us… I certainly wished he had finished here.”
Sarkisian expressed excitement over the match-up, noting that it will mark the first time Texas and Clemson meet in football, highlighting the game’s significance in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
“This is an exciting time for college football,” he stated. He praised Clemson’s track record as a regular contender in the College Football Playoff, citing their two national championships and numerous playoff appearances. Sarkisian also acknowledged his past recruitment of Klubnik, expressing surprise when he chose Clemson over Texas.
In terms of pre-game analysis, ESPN’s analytics give Clemson a 15.6% chance of winning, representing the lowest odds among the opening round of CFP games.
As this exciting playoff matchup approaches, it offers hopes for a thrilling game that showcases the talent and determination of both teams, with fans eagerly anticipating this historic clash.
In summary, the upcoming game between Clemson and Texas is not just a competitive playoff match but also represents a significant moment in college football history, highlighting the personal connections and narratives surrounding the coaches and players involved.