While the other first round College Football Playoff games try to stay warm up north, Clemson and Texas will keep it mild down in Austin — the weather, that is. This matchup between the Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns could get interesting depending on which Texas team shows up, especially with the Tigers riding high off their last-second ACC title win. This is Texas’ second CFP appearance and Clemson’s seventh, with the Tigers owning two CFP titles (2016, 2018).
Keep reading for how to watch Saturday’s matchup, a preview, players to watch, betting odds, and the head-to-head record between the two teams.
How to watch Clemson vs. Texas College Football Playoff first round matchup
Twelfth-seed Clemson will face fifth-seed Texas on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. ET on TNT & Max. The game will be played at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
- Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024
- Time: 4:00 PM ET
- Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
- TV/Streaming: TNT & Max
Clemson vs. Texas preview
The other three first round games are expected to be close, but this one, not as much. Yes, Clemson is riding high from the SMU win, but it’s still a three-loss team that dropped one to 8-4 Louisville and nearly a fourth to 7-5 Pitt. Meanwhile, Texas had one Achilles heel that the team had to face twice this season: Georgia. No. 5 vs. No. 12 seems like a decent matchup, but those are the teams’ seeds, artificially influenced by guaranteed bids. In reality, Texas is ranked No. 3 and Clemson is No. 16.
2024-25 College Football Playoff schedule: List of matchups, dates, times, and TV channels
As it stands, Texas is a two-score favorite. Of course, the Longhorns have been inconsistent in the latter half of the season, blowing out opponents one game just to narrowly avoid defeat the next — and that’s with one of the easiest schedules in the SEC. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has had a good season, but even with him as the definitive starter, it always seems like Texas is in a “will they, won’t they” situation with backup Arch Manning, especially when Ewers isn’t delivering in the red zone. Will they put Manning in for more than a few plays? Some fans want it, but the coaching staff doesn’t seem so sure. All the while, the prospect looms of what will happen with the QB situation in the offseason.
Clemson had a rough start to the season, getting hammered by then-No. 1 Georgia, 34-3. The Tigers’ offense seemed to find its rhythm after that, winning six straight before the 12-point loss to Louisville. Quarterback Cade Klubnik has delivered this season after struggling last year, and Phil Mafah has racked up over 1,100 yards on the ground. While the Texas offense tries to avoid engine failure, Clemson will need to see Klubnik and Mafah make progress against a Longhorn defense that has all but rendered its previous opponents’ rush attacks useless (save for the Bulldogs). Whether Mafah (shoulder) has been able to rest in the past two weeks and recuperate will make a difference.
Clemson vs. Texas players to watch
Clemson
- QB: Junior Cade Klubnik - Klubnik has ramped up production in his second season as Clemson’s starter, throwing for 3,303 yards, 33 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. Compare that to 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions a year ago — it’s a marked improvement. He’s also the team’s second-best rusher, with 458 yards and 7 touchdowns. Watch out for those QB breakaways.
- RB: Senior Phil Mafah - Mafah already earned his first 1,000+ yard season this year, having racked up 1,106 yards and 8 touchdowns. Unfortunately, in the last month of the season, he hasn’t been able to get much going — no touchdowns and a game-high of 66 yards against South Carolina. Mafah has six 100+ yard games this season, but his last was against Virginia Tech on November 9. He’s dealing with a minor shoulder injury that head coach Dabo Swinney said will require surgery in the offseason, and it’s up in the air how much he’ll be able to contribute Saturday.
- WR: Sophomore Antonio Williams - The Tigers’ leading receiver, Williams has 71 catches for 838 yards this season and 10 touchdowns. When him and Klubnik connect, he’s averaging 11.8 yards a catch.
- DE: Sophomore T.J. Parker - Clemson needs to cause issues for Ewers, and if anyone is going to do that, it’s going to be Parker. He has 11 sacks this season and 6 forced fumbles, making him every QB’s nightmare.
- S: Sophomore Khalil Barnes - Another person who needs to make plays on the Clemson defense is Barnes, who has 4 interceptions this season and can take advantage of a vulnerable Ewers.
2024-25 College Football Playoff full bracket and scores, schedule, matchups
Texas
- QB: Junior Quinn Ewers - Whether Ewers stays, transfers or enters the draft has been a hot topic the past few weeks, but right now, he said he’s focused on winning games. Despite inconsistencies, Ewers has led Texas to an 11-2 record, losing to only one team (twice), and racked up 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Be concerned when Ewers leaves the pocket though, especially if he takes off running, as he’s tallied -62 rush yards this season.
- RB: Sophomore Quintrevion Wisner and Junior Jaydon Blue - Wisner racks up the yards (863 so far), and Blue finishes it off in the end zone (6 touchdowns this season). Overall, Texas’ rush attack is split between Wisner, Blue, Jerrick Gibson and Manning — all of whom have scored multiple touchdowns. Blue has been limited due to injury the past couple games, so whether he’s active could make a difference.
- WR: Junior Matthew Golden leads the team in receiving yards (738) and touchdowns (8), averaging 15.7 yards a catch. Other key targets for Ewers: TE Gunnar Helm (611 yards, 5 touchdowns) and WR Isaiah Bond (532 yards, 5 touchdowns). Bond was injured late in the SEC Championship, but head coach Steve Sarkisian is hopeful he’ll play against Clemson.
- LB: Sophomore Anthony Hill Jr. is the Longhorns’ defensive playmaker, having 47 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 1 interception this year.
- DB: Senior Jahdae Barron has 5 interceptions and 9 defended passes, making him one to watch when Klubnik eyes a receiver.
Clemson vs. Texas odds
*odds courtesy of BetMGM
- Moneyline: Texas (-400), Clemson (+325)
- Spread: Texas (-11.5)
- Over/Under: 51.5 points
Read our full betting breakdown of the matchup here.
Clemson vs. Texas head-to-head record
This is the first-ever meeting between the Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns.
