The University of Texas at Austin’s No. 3 seed football team is set to take on No. 16 seed Clemson in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 21, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and will be broadcasted on TNT/Max, featuring commentary from Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, and Taylor McGregor.
This marks Texas’ second consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff, having earned the third seed in the 2023 playoff and reaching the semifinals against the Washington Huskies. The Longhorns have maintained a strong performance, securing 11 consecutive appearances in the top 10 of the College Football Playoff rankings since October 31, 2023. They were ranked No. 5 in the initial rankings released on November 5, which is their highest-ever debut position. Currently, Texas sits at No. 4 in the latest Associated Press and Coaches Polls.
The upcoming game will be the first-ever clash between Texas and Clemson, with the winner moving on to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. This significant matchup is set to take place on January 1, 2025, against Arizona State, the Big 12 Champion and No. 4 seed, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has an impressive postseason record, with eight appearances in his 11-year coaching career. He previously led teams at Washington and USC to multiple bowl games, showcasing his experience and capability to guide the Longhorns through this competitive playoff environment.
For fans eager to attend the playoff game, Texas football season ticket holders can request their usual seat and parking locations. The deadline to request tickets is December 9 at 4 p.m. Central. Unfortunately, no public tickets will be sold for this matchup; however, Texas Athletics has partnered with SeatGeek as their official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace for potential ticket purchases.
As the Longhorns prepare for this exciting matchup, there’s a wave of enthusiasm and hope among fans and players alike. The team has shown tremendous growth and resilience, and this game promises to be a thrilling opportunity to advance further in the national spotlight.
Summary: Texas Football, ranked No. 3, will face No. 16 Clemson on December 21 in the College Football Playoff first round, marking a significant moment as they pursue their second consecutive playoff journey. The game will showcase the skills of head coach Steve Sarkisian, who has a rich history of postseason success, and fans are buzzing with excitement about the potential for a long playoff run.