ESPN’s College GameDay crew made their picks for the first round of the College Football Playoff, including No. 12 Clemson taking on No. 5 Texas for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Tigers come in as 13.5-point underdogs for the program’s first trip to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., televised on TNT.
Here’s who the College GameDay hosts, as well as guest picker AJ Hawk, picked to win the game.
Desmond Howard: Texas
“I think it’s going to be a high-scoring game, I’m worried about Isaiah Bond’s probably not going to play but I do think Texas has enough firepower to beat Clemson.”
Nick Saban: Texas
“I got a lot of faith in (Steve Sarkisan) fixing his issues in the red zone, I’m Texas all the way.”
Pat McAfee: Texas
Kirk Herbstreit: Texas
“The question to me in this football game is Clemson has to rely on big plays. They happen to be going against one of the best defenses in the country that prevents those big plays. I just don’t see Clemson sustaining drives. I think Texas not only wins, I think they cover that 13.5.”
Lee Corso: Texas
“Texas is going to win the national title, so they’ve got to win this game obviously.”
AJ Hawk: Texas
“They’re daring you to take Dabo and Clemson here, I’m going to take Texas though.”