AUSTIN, Texas – In an exciting development for college football fans, the No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns will host the 16th-seeded Clemson Tigers in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. The highly anticipated matchup is set to take place at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 21, at the renowned Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on TNT/Max, featuring play-by-play commentary by Dave Pasch, analysis by Dusty Dvoracek, and reporting by Taylor McGregor.
This will mark Texas’s second consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff, having ranked as the three seed in 2023 and reaching the semifinals against the No. 2 Washington Huskies at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns have enjoyed a stellar run, maintaining 11 straight top-10 CFP rankings since October 31, 2023. As of the first CFP rankings released on November 5 this season, Texas debuted at No. 5, which is the highest ranking they have ever received in this inaugural week of the CFP. They have consistently remained in the top-25 of all rankings for the past 15 releases, boasting a total of 27 appearances, with their best being No. 2. The team was ranked No. 4 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls updated on December 8.
This matchup on December 21 will be the first time Texas and Clemson have faced each other on the field. The victor will advance to the quarterfinals at the 57th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where they will compete against the Big 12 Champion and fourth seed, Arizona State, at noon CT on January 1, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which will be broadcast on an ABC/ESPN platform.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian continues to demonstrate his capability as a leader, having taken teams to eight postseason appearances over his 11 seasons in coaching. He led Washington to four consecutive bowl games from 2010 to 2013 and guided USC to the Holiday Bowl in 2014. During his tenure, Sarkisian also coached in prestigious bowl games, including the Alamo Bowl with the Huskies against Baylor in 2011.
Regarding ticket information for the upcoming game, Texas Football season ticket holders can request their usual seat and parking locations for the College Football Playoff First Round. These requests need to be submitted via their accounts by Monday, December 9, at 4 p.m. Central. Notably, no tickets will be available to the general public. Fans wishing to purchase tickets should visit SeatGeek, which serves as the official fan-to-fan marketplace for Texas Athletics. Additionally, Longhorn Foundation donors at the Tradition level or higher ($1,500+) may also request tickets for any postseason games the Longhorns qualify for, with various deadlines applicable.
This match-up not only highlights the talent of both teams but also offers an opportunity for Texas to solidify its presence in collegiate football. With a rich legacy and promising future, the Longhorns are well-positioned to make an impactful run in the playoff. Football enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling game that elevates the excitement of the postseason.