AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns will host the No. 16 seed Clemson Tigers in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff on Saturday, December 21, at 3 p.m. CT. The game will take place at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on TNT/Max, featuring play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch, analyst Dusty Dvoracek, and reporter Taylor McGregor.
This marks Texas’s second consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff, having made it to the semifinals last season where they faced the No. 2 Washington Huskies at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns have consistently maintained a strong position in the rankings, boasting 11 straight top-10 placements in the College Football Playoff rankings since October 31, 2023. They achieved their highest-ever position in the initial CFP rankings on November 5, debuting at No. 5. Overall, Texas has had 27 appearances in the rankings, with its peak being No. 2, and they are currently ranked No. 4 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls as of December 8.
The upcoming game on December 21 will be the first time Texas and Clemson have ever faced each other. The winner will move on to the CFP Quarterfinals, scheduled for the 57th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where they will encounter the Big 12 Champion, No. 4 seed Arizona State, at Noon CT on January 1, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This game will be broadcast on an ABC/ESPN platform.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian is entering his 11th season in coaching and has led his teams to eight postseason appearances. Notably, he guided Washington to four consecutive bowl games from 2010 to 2013, and he also took USC to the Holiday Bowl in 2014. His experience from past bowl games enhances Texas’s prospects as they head into this crucial matchup.
For fans looking to attend, Texas Football season ticket holders can request tickets for their regular season seating and parking for the playoff game. The deadline for these requests is set for Monday, December 9, at 4 p.m. Central. Although public tickets are not available, fans can utilize SeatGeek, the authorized fan-to-fan marketplace for Texas Athletics tickets. Additionally, Longhorn Foundation donors at the Tradition level or above can request tickets for other potential College Football Playoff games, with deadlines varying based on the round.
In conclusion, Texas’s return to the College Football Playoff presents an exciting opportunity for both players and fans, showcasing their resilience and dedication within a competitive landscape. The anticipated match against Clemson not only marks a significant milestone for the Longhorns but also sets the stage for thrilling postseason play.