10:58 pm, December 8, 2024
Our first of two blueblood first-round playoff games comes on Saturday afternoon from Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, as SEC runner-up Texas takes on ACC champion Clemson.
Texas finished the year 11-0 against teams not named Georgia, but losses to the ‘Dawgs at home in the regular season and a loss in the SEC championship game have Texas just outside the cut for a first-round bye. Texas continued to improve throughout the season, mostly on the defensive end. They put together an impressive performance in the last week of the regular season, holding Texas A&M without an offensive touchdown. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Quinn Ewers will have time to heal an injury to his right ankle. When at 100% he is arguably the nation’s most talented QB.
Clemson earns a playoff spot despite being ranked 16th in the final CFP top-25. The ACC champs earn an auto-bid to get back to the playoff for the first time since 2020. Dabo Swinney’s program relies on experienced quarterback Cade Klubnik, whose 42 touchdowns accounted for ranks third in the nation. Turnovers tend to decide games for the Tigers. Their turnover margin of +16 ranks second in the country.
| Texas | Clemson | |
|---|---|---|
| 11-2 | Record | 10-3 |
| SEC | Conference | ACC |
| 33.6 | Points Per Game | 35.5 |
| 12.5 | Points Against Per Game | 23.3 |
|
Quintrevion Wisner (863 yds) |
Leading Rusher | Phil Mafah (1106 yds) |
| Matthew Golden (738 yds) | Leading Receiver | Antonio Williams (838 yds) |
| Anthony Hill Jr. (90 tackles) | Leading Tackler | Barrett Carter (76 tackles) |
10:57 pm, December 8, 2024
The final College Football Playoff rankings of the season set the bracket for the 2024 College Football Playoff. Here is the full top-25:
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD | PREVIOUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 13-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Georgia | 11-2 | 5 |
| 3 | Texas | 11-2 | 2 |
| 4 | Penn State | 11-2 | 3 |
| 5 | Notre Dame | 11-1 | 4 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 10-2 | 6 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 10-2 | 7 |
| 8 | Indiana | 11-1 | 9 |
| 9 | Boise State | 12-1 | 10 |
| 10 | SMU | 11-2 | 8 |
| 11 | Alabama | 9-3 | 11 |
| 12 | Arizona State | 11-2 | 15 |
| 13 | Miami | 10-2 | 12 |
| 14 | Ole Miss | 9-3 | 13 |
| 15 | South Carolina | 9-3 | 14 |
| 16 | Clemson | 10-3 | 17 |
| 17 | BYU | 10-2 | 18 |
| 18 | Iowa State | 10-3 | 16 |
| 19 | Missouri | 9-3 | 19 |
| 20 | Illinois | 9-3 | 21 |
| 21 | Syracuse | 9-3 | 22 |
| 22 | Army | 11-1 | 24 |
| 23 | Colorado | 9-3 | 23 |
| 24 | UNLV | 10-3 | 20 |
| 25 | Memphis | 10-2 | 25 |
10:55 pm, December 8, 2024
The winner of Texas and Clemson will move on to face No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 2025.
10:55 pm, December 8, 2024
Since the College Football Playoff was established in 2014, seven teams have won a national championship. Michigan won the last version of the four-team playoff in 2023.
Here is every College Football Playoff Champion:
| SEASON | CHAMPION | SELECTING ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Michigan | CFP |
| 2022 | Georgia | CFP |
| 2021 | Georgia | CFP |
| 2020 | Alabama | CFP |
| 2019 | LSU | CFP |
| 2018 | Clemson | CFP |
| 2017 | Alabama | CFP |
| 2016 | Clemson | CFP |
| 2015 | Alabama | CFP |
| 2014 | Ohio State | CFP |
