AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football, currently ranked No. 3, is set to host No. 16 seed Clemson in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. The highly anticipated game will kick off at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 21, at the iconic Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on TNT/Max, featuring commentary from Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, and Taylor McGregor.
This marks Texas’s second consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff, following an impressive run as the three seed in 2023, where they reached the semifinals against No. 2 Washington at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns have maintained a remarkable streak of 11 consecutive top-10 rankings in the CFP, a journey that began on October 31, 2023. The team debuted at No. 5 in the first CFP rankings this season, showcasing their consistent performance and earning the highest initial ranking in their history. As of December 8, Texas also stood at No. 4 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls.
The upcoming matchup will be the first-ever clash between Texas and Clemson, heightening excitement for both teams. The winner will advance to the CFP Quarterfinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where they will face the Big 12 Champion, No. 4 seed Arizona State, on January 1, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This quarterfinal matchup will be broadcasted on an ABC/ESPN platform.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has demonstrated his aptitude for postseason success, leading teams to eight playoff appearances in his 11 years as a head coach. His past accomplishments include four consecutive bowl games with Washington and guiding USC to the Holiday Bowl in 2014.
For fans looking to attend the College Football Playoff First Round Game, season ticket holders are encouraged to request their regular season seat and parking spots by logging into their accounts. The deadline to make these requests is 4 p.m. Central on December 9, with no general public tickets available for this event. Additionally, donors at the Tradition level of the Longhorn Foundation (contributors of $1,500 or more) can also request tickets for potential other postseason games.
This playoff appearance represents a tremendous opportunity for Texas Football not only to achieve success on the field but to unite fans across the Longhorn community in a shared celebration of college football. The anticipation and excitement surrounding this matchup promise an electric atmosphere on game day.