US LBM Coaches Poll: How SMU earned a CFP nod over Alabama
The final regular season US LBM Coaches Poll is here and Paul Myerberg breaks down the top storylines now that the CFP bracket is set.
Sports Pulse
The first round of the College Football Playoff continues this Saturday, featuring a thrilling matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers. This marks the Tigers’ first appearance in the playoff since 2020, a moment they have been eagerly anticipating. It’s also the first time that these two teams have faced each other in their program histories.
The Texas Longhorns, in their first season in the SEC, have dominated throughout, securing the No. 5 seed in the newly formatted 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. Their journey, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, has been remarkable. Despite an early-season injury that sidelined him for a few weeks, Ewers finished the regular season with a completion rate of 66.2%, totaling 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Tigers, riding high on their recent triumph, secured the No. 12 seed after winning the ACC Championship with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the SMU Mustangs. Quarterback Cade Klubnik delivered an impressive performance, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns, which was crucial in propelling the team into the CFP.
The Texas Longhorns are on the brink of a crucial game, just hours away from facing the Clemson Tigers in a must-win matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
CFP first round predictions: Texas vs. Clemson
USA Today: No. 5 Texas defeats No. 12 Clemson
Paul Myerberg writes: “Texas will benefit from the payoff for losing the SEC: the No. 5 seed. That results in a draw of three-ranked Clemson and then Arizona State, the lowest-ranked conference champion in the quarterfinals. The Tigers can pull the upset here, but it starts with putting the game in Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers’ hands and demands error-free football from quarterback Cade Klubnik. Look for the Texas talent level to eventually win out with a higher level of overall consistency and key a double-digit win”
ESPN: Texas has a 80% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Texas Longhorns have a 80.5% chance to beat the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Sports Illustrated: Texas will defeat Clemson
James Park writes: “Clemson +10.5 … Texas has the defense to contain Clemson’s skill arsenal, but we have questions around the Longhorns’ consistency on offense, especially now going against a strong Tiger front seven. Texas by 10.”
College Football Network: Texas 31, Clemson 23
James Fragoza writes: “Quinn Ewers isn’t the answer for the Longhorns, but that won’t matter too much against Clemson. That’s because Texas is a difficult matchup for the Tigers. First, Clemson’s defensive weak point is the ground game, where it ranks 53rd in success rate and 73rd in yards allowed per game (150.5). Second, Texas’ defense won’t allow the offense to find a rhythm, ranking among the nation’s best in several key statistics.”
CFP first round odds, lines: Texas vs. Clemson
The Texas Longhorns are favorites to defeat the Clemson Tigers, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of Wednesday, Dec. 11 afternoon.
- Spread: Texas (-11)
- Moneylines: Texas (-450); Clemson (+340)
- Over/under: 51.5
How to watch Texas vs. Clemson in CFP first round
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- TV: TNT
- Stream: Max
- Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, TX)
CatchTexas vs. Clemson with Sling
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