No. 5 seeded Texas prepares to take on No. 12 seed Clemson for the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff Dec. 21 at home in Austin. This matchup holds a little more weight than others given that the Longhorns and Tigers have never met in their program’s history.
Well first impressions are everything. Here are a few things to look out for from the Tigers:
Located in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson is a part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This season, the Tigers clinched a 10–3 overall record and defeated SMU in the ACC Championship 34-31 off of a last minute field goal, claiming an automatic spot in the playoffs. Clemson, a charter member of the ACC, has accumulated 24 conference titles and three national championships, most recently coming from a crushing win against Alabama in 2018 under head coach Dabo Swinney. Swinney has led Clemson to two championship wins with an impressive 180–46 overall record.
While the two teams have never met, they did share one major opponent this season. The Tigers took on the Georgia Bulldogs in week one and fell 34-3, a much more severe loss than when Texas played the powerhouse.
As for the actual matchup, Texas currently sits at 10.5-point favorites. However, there are many prominent aspects to this Tiger squad that have made them so successful this season and could keep them in the game with the Horns.
Junior Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has thrown over 3,300 yards and 33 touchdowns this season and seems to be the heart of the Tigers’ offense. With Clemson’s heavier use of a passing game, Klubnick has transformed into one of the most improved quarterbacks this season, ranking 16th in the country with a quarterback passing grade of 78.9 according to ESPN. For reference, Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers is sitting at the 33rd spot with a 71.3.
Senior running back Phil Mafah is also a big part of the Tigers’ offense, holding 1,106 rushing yards this season. Mafah is a huge factor that helps Clemson move the ball down the field easily and has even had a drive this season for 83 yards against Appalachian State.
Clemson has also been very strong on the defensive front. Ranking eighth in forced turnovers, Clemson has accumulated 25 this season. Texas is tied for first alongside Notre Dame, who also made the playoffs, with 28 turnovers on the season.
However, this season Clemson has had some difficulty with missed tackles and leaving gaps, which gives Texas’ run game an advantage. This gives Texas a chance to utilize sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner, who while being shut down against an impressive Georgia defense in the SEC Championship, had over 150 rushing yards in the last two games of the regular season.
This game, while never having crossed paths in collegiate play, will serve as a reunion for many. Senior defensive back Andrew Mukuba was a transfer from Clemson who was credited with 142 tackles in 31 starts.
Klubnik will also have a homecoming, having attended Westlake High School in Austin, alongside junior defensive back Michael Taaffe and junior defensive lineman Ethan Burke.
This will also not be the first time the two quarterbacks will face off. Klubnik and the rest of the Westlake crew encountered Ewers back in the 2021 6A Division 2 State Championship, where Westlake played Southlake Carroll High School and came out on top.
The two quarterbacks and their teammates will reunite at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. CT for the first round of playoffs and the start of the two teams’ head-to-head history.
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