AUSTIN – It is game day at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium where Clemson battles Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Tigers look to make show they belong in the CFP and advance to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl with a win.

Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium

Kickoff: 4 PM

Television: TNT/Max

Announcers: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Taylor McGregor, Laura Rutledge

2024 Record: Clemson 10-3,  Texas 11-2

ACC Record: Clemson 8-1

Series History: First Meeting

Last Meeting:  First Meeting

CLEMSON EMBARKS UPON SEVENTH CFP RUN SATURDAY AT TEXAS

After three years away, Clemson will officially return to the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 21, when the 12th-seeded Tigers face the fifth-seeded Texas Longhorns in the first meeting in history between the two powerhouses. Kickoff at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT.

This season, Clemson earned its seventh College Football Playoff berth since the format’s inception in 2014. Clemson’s seven berths trail only Alabama
(eight) for the most in the nation. Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney’s seven CFP berths are the most of any active coach and one shy of Nick Saban (eight) for the most of any coach all-time.

Clemson earned its berth after winning the 2024 ACC Championship Game and securing its 13th season with 10 or more wins in the last 14 years. The Tigers collected a dramatic 34-31 walk-off win in the ACC Championship Game to extend their FBS-record streak of consecutive years with a postseason win (conference championships and/or bowl/CFP games) to 14 seasons.

After the first decade of the College Football Playoff featured every game being played at a neutral site, this year marks the first time that games will be played on campus sites. During the regular season, Clemson recorded a perfect record in true road games for the 10th time in program history (1900, 1917, 1948, 1981, 1995, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019). The Tigers are one of eight FBS teams with a perfect record in true road games this season, alongside Oregon, Notre Dame, Army, Penn State, SMU, Louisiana and Texas.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

– Clemson (seven) entering the game as one of only two teams ever to earn seven College Football Playoff berths since the institution of the postseason format in 2014 (Alabama, 8).

– Head Coach Dabo Swinney (6-4) attempting to join Nick Saban (9-5) as the only coaches ever to win at least seven College Football Playoff games.

– Clemson entering the game having won at least one postseason game (conference championship, bowl game and/or national championship game) in 14 consecutive seasons. Clemson’s current 14-year streak is the longest streak on record in major college football history.

– Clemson attempting to win multiple postseason games (conference championship, bowl game and/or national championship game) in a single season for the fifth time in school history (two in 2015, three in 2016,
three in 2018 and two in 2019).

– Clemson attempting to produce its 12th 11-win season in program history, joining the 1948, 1978, 1981, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
and 2022 seasons. It would be Clemson’s ninth season of 11-plus wins under Head Coach Dabo Swinney.

– Clemson attempting to win an 11th game this season to tie for the seventh-most wins in a season in school history.

– Clemson attempting to improve to 28-23 all-time in bowl/CFP play.

POSTSEASON STREAK

Between ACC Championship Games, bowl games and College Football Playoff National Championship Games, Clemson has won at least one postseason game in each of the last 14 years, the longest streak in FBS history.

Clemson extended that streak with its win in the 2024 ACC Championship Game.

CFP STAPLES

From 2014-23, Clemson cemented itself as one of the College Football Playoff’s powerhouses of the tournament’s inaugural decade. In the 10-year history of the four-team format prior to 2024, only 15 programs earned at least one College Football Playoff berth, and Clemson ranked second in CFP berths, CFP title game appearances, total CFP wins and CFP titles.

Clemson returned to the College Football Playoff in 2024 in the format’s first year of expansion to 12 teams and is now one berth shy of Alabama (eight) for the most in history.

CLEMSON VS. AP TOP 10

Saturday’s game against AP No. 4 Texas will be Clemson’s third game against an AP Top 10 team this season, joining its season opener against then-No. 1
Georgia and its 2024 ACC Championship win against No. 8 SMU.

Clemson has 31 wins all-time against AP Top 10 squads. Nineteen of those 31 wins have come under Head Coach Dabo Swinney, who is 19-13 in his 32
previous matchups against Top 10 teams.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 20, Texas 17

Will – Texas 20, Clemson 10

JP – Texas 17, Clemson 14