CFP GAME DAY: No. 5 Texas Longhorns versus No. 12 Clemson Tigers

It is game day on The 40 Acres as the No. 5 Texas Longhorns host the No. 12 Clemson Tigers in the first ever meeting between the two programs, in the first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) game to be held in Austin, Texas.

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers enter the contest as Atlantic Coast Conference Champions after defeating the SMU Mustangs 34-31, thanks to a 56-yard walk off field goal by Nolan Hauser. Texas takes the field as runners-up to the SEC-Champion Georgia Bulldogs, following their 22-19 overtime loss in Atlanta.

With the preseason goal of competing for a national championship very much still alive, Steve Sarkisian’s team must win today to advance to the quarterfinals against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. They will face a Clemson offense led by formidable quarterback and Westlake High School alumnus Cade Klubnik.

Defensively, Texas’ Colin Simmons and Clemson’s Sammy Brown rank first and second nationally, respectively, in tackles by freshmen. Clemson is the only three loss team in this year’s CFP, but they are well-coached and have very capable players on both sides of the ball.

The Tigers are playing in their seventh year of the CFP, while the Longhorns are making their second appearance. Texas boasts a 12-1 home record over the last two seasons and are 12-point favorites in the contest.

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