Staff Predictions: No. 5 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 12 Clemson Tigers

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns kick off their 2024 College Football Playoff (CFP) campaign on Saturday by hosting the No. 12 Clemson Tigers. The Longhorns fell for the second time this season to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game to earn the fifth seed in the CFP. Clemson defeated SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship to secure the last spot in the Playoff (No. 12), despite having three losses on the season.

Saturday’s game at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium presents a multitude of storylines. Clemson and Texas have never played one another on the gridiron… Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik returns to his hometown of Austin, TX where he played high school football for the Westlake Chapparals… Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba facing his former team, whom he played his first three seasons of college football with…. They are all noteworthy, but at the end of the day it is one team against another for the chance to advance into the quarterfinals.

Texas allows just 12.5 points per game, but led by Klubnik, Clemson’s high-powered offense racks up 35.5 points per game. The difference in this game could very well be how well Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense handles Dabo Swinney’s spread offense.

Will the Longhorns defeat a capable Clemson team and advance to the Peach Bowl quarterfinal against Arizona State? Or will veteran Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and hometown hero Cade Klubnik serve Texas with an upset in the CFP First Round?

Our staff provides their score predictions and thoughts on Saturday’s outcome between Texas and Clemson below.

Jameson McCausland

Cade Klubnik will be the best QB Texas has faced this year. His ability as a runner and passer must be respected, and he has been very good at limiting turnovers. The bigger issue for Clemson has been their inability to run the football against quality defenses and the health of starting RB Phil Mafah. If Texas forces Clemson to abandon the traditional running game, it will play right into the hands of the Longhorn defense.

The Texas offense must figure out how to get out of its own way. There hasn’t been one specific issue plaguing the unit the past month or so, but the overall crispness and efficiency of the offense have not been where they should be. I think the week off was very important for Quinn Ewers, who has looked better throwing the ball the last few games but still lacks some of the velocity he had pre-injury on his throws. Getting star LT Kelvin Banks back wouldn’t hurt either.

Clemson is 2-3 this season against teams with seven or more wins. Texas is 4-2. The Longhorns make it 5-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Score Prediction: Texas 27, Clemson 20

Aaron Carrara

The Longhorns needed the extended rest following their overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game to help get guys like Quinn Ewers, Kelvin Banks and Isaiah Bond healthier. The offense needs all of them to contribute as Texas hopefully begins a deep run in the College Football Playoff. The ‘Horns and Tiger offenses are relatively equal in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. Both have big play capabilities but both have struggled to get the running game going consistently. Also, playing disciplined football is a must for the Longhorns’ offensive line and will go a long way if Texas is going to win this game.

Texas boasts one of the top defenses in the country, which is why I believe the Longhorns will win this football game. They allow just 230 yards per game and make offenses one-dimensional. Additionally, they force turnovers, which I see happening in this game on multiple occasions (see Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, Vernon Broughton). This is too big of a game for Steve Sarkisian to lose. And playing in front of a home crowd where they lost just once this season, is a tremendous advantage.

Score Prediction: Texas 31, Clemson 20

Marc Henry

The Longhorns enter the newly formatted College Football Playoff after a strong season, with their only two losses coming against Georgia. Clemson’s defensive front presents similar challenges to what Texas faced against the Bulldogs. The Tigers’ active defensive line has allowed just 22 points per game, meaning Texas’ offensive line must step up to protect quarterback Quinn Ewers and give him time to make throws.

Establishing the running game early will be critical for Texas to control the tempo and keep Clemson’s defense on its heels.

On defense, Texas must find a way to contain quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. The Longhorns also need to keep an eye on running back Phil Mafah, who has been a key part of Clemson’s offense with 1,106 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.

Score Prediction: Texas 24, Clemson 21

Devon Messinger

Saturday’s matchup is not only a College Football Playoff game, but also a Cade versus Quinn rematch. By now, you have likely heard that the two Texas natives squared off against each other in a high school championship game in 2020. However, Klubnik will also be facing several Austin-area natives in Andrew Mukuba, Jahdae Barron, and Michael Taaffe.

Speaking of the Texas secondary versus Klubnik, that will be the game’s key matchup. This season, Klubnik has an outstanding 33 to 5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, carrying the Tigers to the playoffs. Fresh off of being named this year’s Thorpe Award recipient, Jahdae Barron will have to force the Tigers to lean on their running game. But, careful what you wish for, Klubnik’s ability to tuck the football and run will be a trick up the sleeve of Dabo Swinney’s offense.

Score Prediction: Texas 24, Clemson 21

Dylan DeRaud

Cade Klubnik, Austin’s prodigal son, returns to face his hometown team in the opening round of the expanded College Football Playoff. Clemson, fresh off a game-winning 50-yard field goal against SMU in the ACC Championship, will need their offense to be near-perfect against Texas. Klubnik carries the weight of the team as he faces one of the nation’s top defenses. On the other side, expect Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns to exploit a statistically average Clemson defense. With a strong offensive line providing push up front, Texas should move the ball effectively. If the Longhorns maintain a balanced attack and avoid turnovers, they have a strong chance to win this game handily.

Score Prediction: Texas 31, Clemson 23

Mitch Lovell

Texas will show once again why the Longhorn defense is the most consistent unit in the country. Dabo will have his guys ready but so will Steve Sarkisian. Clemson has struggled to stop the run against top teams so look for Tre Wisner to have a big day.

Score Prediction: Texas 24, Clemson 14