Texas beats Clemson 38-24, advances to face Arizona State in College Football Playoff quartersfinals.
For Texas football, winning a national championship is now a four-step process.
Step one? Complete.
Led by running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue, Texas rushed to a 38-24 win over Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. The 14-point victory at Royal-Memorial Stadium advances Texas (12-2) into a quarterfinal matchup with Arizona State that will take place on Jan. 1 at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium.
The fifth seed in the CFP bracket, Texas fell into a 7-0 hole on Saturday after No. 12 Clemson (10-4) opened the game with a 12-play drive and a 22-yard touchdown pass by Austin native Cade Klubnik. But by halftime, the scoreboard featured Texas holding a 28-10 lead.
Texas responded to Klubnik's touchdown toss with three straight scoring drives. Each of those possessions was punctuated by a touchdown run. Quintrevion Wisner scored on 3- and 16-yard rushes, and Jaydon Blue sprinted 38 yards into the end zone on another snap.
Quinn Ewers threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Helm in the second quarter's waning seconds, but the Longhorns' 18-point halftime advantage was built on a 22-carry, 148-yard rushing attack. That performance came two weeks after Texas rushed 28 times for 31 yards during a loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns in his homecoming, but the Westlake High product was unable to get Clemson into the end zone after the Tigers earned a first down at the Texas 5 on a key fourth-quarter drive.
What Next to Play for Texas Longhorns in CFP?
Next up for Texas is its first-ever appearance in the Peach Bowl. Awaiting the Longhorns will be Arizona State, which won the Big 12 championship that Texas secured last year before bolting for the SEC. Texas and Arizona State (11-2) have only played once before, and the Longhorns recorded a 52-34 victory in the 2007 Holiday Bowl.
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What channel is Texas vs Clemson on Saturday?
TV channel: ABC
Streaming: Watch ESPN; Fubo
Texas' game versus Clemson will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the first-round CFP matchup include Watch ESPN and Fubo's streaming service.
Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline) and Laura Rutledge (sideline) will be the broadcast crew.
Texas vs Clemson start time for College Football Playoff game
Date: Dec. 21
Start time: 2 p.m. MST / 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET
Location: Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.
CFP first round odds, lines: Texas vs Clemson predictions, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of Bet MGM as of Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Texas is favored by 11½ points. The Texas Longhorns are favorites to defeat the Clemson Tigers, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Spread: Texas by 11½
Over/under: 51½
Moneyline: Texas (-400), Clemson (+325)
No. 5 Texas vs No. 12 Clemson College Football Playoff ticket prices
Texas and Clemson on StubHub at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin tickets range from $99-$1,943.
Texas vs. Clemson predictions
USA Today: No. 5 Texas defeats No. 12 Clemson
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
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