The Tigers are back in the College Football Playoffs for the first time since 2020. It's the first year of the 12-team format, and Clemson snuck in with a huge win over SMU to win the ACC Championship. Now, it'll face the SEC runner-up, Texas.
The Longhorns spend a significant portion of the year at the top of the AP polls, but a massive loss to Georgia sent them down to the top 10. Texas fought its way back up, debuting in the CFP Rankings at No. 5.
On the other hand, Texas hasn't won a single game over a team in the top 25. ESPN gave it a top-20 strength of schedule, but in retrospect, that seems highly inflated. If that's true, Clemson could shock the world this evening, and even some former Longhorns think they have a great chance.
Here's how you can watch Clemson's first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff game against Texas:
How to watch or listen to the Clemson football vs Texas in the first round of the CFP
1. How to watch Clemson football vs Texas
- Date: Dec. 21, 2024
- Time: 4:00 PM (ET)
- Network: TNT
- Steaming: Max App
2. How to listen
- Greenville: Station WSIM, Channel 97.1 FM
- Clemson: Station WCCP, Channel 105.5 FM
- Columbia: Station WQXL, Channel 100.7 FM
- Charleston: Station WQSC, Channel 98.5 FM
3. Clemson vs Texas betting odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.com
Spread: Texas -13.5
Clemson moneyline: +375
Texas moneyline: -500
Over/Under: 50.5
4. Key Texas players
- QB Quinn Ewers: 2,665 passing yards, 25 TDs, 696.2 Comp%, 9 INTs
- WR Matthew Golden: 738 yards, 8 TDs, 15.7 RPC, 56.8 YPG
- LB Anthony Hill Jr.: 90 tackles, 47 solo, 16 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 pass breakup, 4 QB Hurries, 4 forced fumbles
5. Key Clemson players
- QB Cade Klubnik: 3,303 yards passing, 33 TDs, 5 Int, 63.7 Comp%, 458 yards rushing, 7 TDs
- WR Antonio Williams: 838 yards receiving, 10 TDs, 11.8 yards per reception
- LB Wade Woodaz: 79 tackles, 55 solo, 8 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 Int, 10 QB hurries, 5 pass breakup
6. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian
- Record at Texas: 36-16
- Fourth season with the Longhorns
- Led Texas to College Football Playoff run in 2023
7. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney
- Record at Clemson: 180-46
- 4 National Championship appearances
- 2 Nation championships
- 8-time ACC Champions