Amazingly, Clemson is in the College Football Playoffs. It wasn't a great season, but the Tigers did just enough to sneak in and grab the last available seed. Some analysts think they even have a shot of going all the way.
Alas, that's not the consensus of most who cover college football. Las Vegas isn't giving them much chance, either, predicting the Tigers as an 11-point underdog. However, one talking head from the SEC Network thinks Texas completely outclasses Clemson.
"Good lord Texas is going to destroy Clemson on Saturday," wrote Peter Burns on X (formerly Twitter). He continued stating, " Longhorns superior on almost every single position except QB (where I think it’s a push) Combine that with home field in Austin….Sark & the Longhorns about to feast."
Good lord Texas is going to destroy Clemson on Saturday.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) December 19, 2024
Longhorns superior on almost every single position except QB (where I think it’s a push)
Combine that with home field in Austin….Sark & the Longhorns about to feast.
While it's hard to predict an outright win for Clemson, saying Texas 'is about to feast,' is nonsense. Firstly, let's take into account the Longhorns' schedule. ESPN ranks it the 20th hardest strength of schedule in the country. However, Texas' best win came at the end of the season against an 8-4 Texas A&M squad. Other than Georgia and A&M, no Power Four team on its schedule broke seven wins.
The fact that media members consistently bring up Clemson's strength of schedule while simultaneously drolling over Texas is infuriating. Sure, Clemson lost a few games they shouldn't have, namely Louisville. On the other hand, the Tigers' schedule grew significantly harder as the season progressed, while Texas' became a walk in the park after it played Georgia.
And to Burns' other point, the only position on the field where the Horns outshine Clemson is the kicker for obvious reasons. Statistically, Texas personnel groups aren't vastly better, if at all. Antonio Williams, Brant Wesco Jr., and TJ Moore have outgained and outscored Texas' three leading receivers.
Texas might have an edge in the rushing game, with only Phil Mafah making a difference for the Tigers. But let's be clear, the best running back on the field will don the more aesthetically pleasing shade of orange and white. With over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, Mafah is the definition of a workhorse. Unfortunately, he's not 100 percent for Saturday's game, so the Tigers may have to turn to their depth to fill in the gaps.
The trenches may also swing toward the Horns, but slightly, especially when Texas has the ball. Clemson's defensive line is one of the best in college football. And when the Longhorns played the only teams on the schedule comparable to Clemson at the position (Georgia and Texas A&M), Texas averaged 4.6 sacks a game. Meanwhile, Clemson averages 1.69 sacks a game Still, you can probably expect that number to go up against a talented DL like Texas'.
Overall, Texas is the better team on paper. Luckily, games aren't won or lost on paper. Clemson deserves some respect, and hopefully, the Tigers can make Burns eat his words.