Texas’ first-round game in the College Football Playoff against Clemson Saturday afternoon is approaching.

The Longhorns missed the opportunity to secure a first-round bye after losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship game, but they still host a postseason game. To advance in the first year of the extended CFP system, Texas has to play ACC Champion, No. 12 Clemson in Austin.

The teams play 3 p.m. Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Because Texas is seeded No. 5, it hosts a first-round game. Had they been seeded lower, they could have traveled to a higher-seeded opponent to play. Luckily for Texas players (and fans) the Longhorns avoided a road game in, say, South Bend, Indiana, where it’s expected to be a high of 28 degrees.

TICKETS FOR TEXAS VS CLEMSON IN CFP

Here is the expected weather report for Texas vs Clemson on Saturday afternoon in Austin:

Texas vs Clemson weather report for CFP

There doesn’t appear to be any precipitation in the forecast for Central Texas on Saturday.

More: Texas football: 10 plays that have defined Longhorns’ run to 2024 College Football Playoff

According to the National Weather Service, Saturday should be sunny with a high around 64, which is average for this time of year.

When does Texas play next?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21.

Time: 3 p.m.

Location: Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin.

More: How should Texas football use Arch Manning in the CFP? Here’s what the numbers say

What channel is Texas’ first-round CFP game?

TV: TNT

Streaming: Max, Sling

Commentators: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek

Sideline reporter: Taylor McGregor

Watch the first-round College Football Playoff matchup live on Max or stream on Sling, which is offering a free trial to new users. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will call the game with Taylor McGregor on the sidelines.

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AUSTIN – Cedar Fever season is in full swing across Central Texas and is expected to last through February. 

Itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, symptoms are all too familiar for central Texans.

Dr. Ronald Cox of Greater Austin Allergy says it has noticed an uptick in patients coming in with those symptoms.

“Unfortunately, this is one of the most beautiful times in Central Texas. There’s beautiful weather outside and you can’t go outside because of the cedar,” said Dr. Cox.

Cedar allergies, otherwise known as “Cedar Fever”, are in full swing. It’s an allergic reaction to pollen from mountain cedar trees, also known as juniper trees. 

“What’s unique about Cedar Fever is it actually feels like you do have a fever and wipes people out,” said Dr. Cox. “This one actually makes you feel bad.”

Dr. Cox says it’s unique to Texas because other areas don’t typically have an allergy season in the winter months.

“It’s not the cedar that’s in your backyard. The wind can carry pollens up to 300 miles. So, it’s what’s indigenous to your area and the Hill Country is just loaded with cedar,” said Dr. Cox.

While the season typically begins around Christmastime, Dr. Cox says this year it came at the start of December. He anticipates it will last until February.

According to FOX 7 Austin’s Pollen Sense Sensor, you can see a jump in the cedar level at the beginning of the month.

According to Dr. Cox, it’ll get worse before it gets better.

“Probably the latter part of December 1st and a couple of weeks of January should be a peak,” said Cox.

But there are things Texans can do to alleviate symptoms. Dr. Cox says it depends on what those look like.

“A lot of people will have itchy, runny, sneeze and if that’s your main complaint, the over-the-counter antihistamines work well for that,” Dr. Cox said.

Dr. Cox says if your main concern is itchy or watery eyes, he recommends over-the-counter eye drops.

To avoid allergy symptoms, he also recommends keeping your windows closed. 

You can also track the pollen outlook for your week.

You can find more information here.

CLEMSON — No. 12 seed Clemson football will face No. 5 seed Texas in the first round of the CFP.

The Tigers (10-3) will travel to Austin, Texas, to face the Longhorns (11-2) on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, TNT) at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. This will be the first matchup ever between Clemson and Texas.

The winner advances to play No. 4 seed Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 1 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Here’s what time Clemson vs. Texas will start and what day it will happen:

Clemson vs. Texas in CFP game date

Clemson will face Texas on Dec. 21.

What time Clemson plays Texas in CFP

Clemson vs. Texas starts at 4 p.m. ET and will air on TNT. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

MORE: Here’s Clemson football, Dabo Swinney’s depth chart for first-round CFP game vs Texas

Where is Clemson vs. Texas

Texas will host Clemson in Austin, Texas, at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Clemson vs. Texas predictions

Texas has been one of the best teams in the country despite losing in the SEC championship. Its only two losses are to Georgia, who also beat Clemson in Week 1. Backed by over 100,000 fans, the Longhorns will beat Clemson and advance to the second round of the CFP. Clemson is 0-2 against SEC teams this season too.

Clemson vs. Texas odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM:

• Spread: Clemson (+11.5)
• Over/under: 51.5
• Moneyline: Clemson (+325), Texas (-400)

Clemson vs. Texas tickets

Tickets are only available on the secondary market and start at $101 on StubHub.

To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub.

CFP schedule

First round (campus site games)

Friday, Dec. 20, 2024:

No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame (8 p.m. ET, ABC)

Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024: 

No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State (noon ET, TNT)

No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas (4 p.m. ET, TNT)

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State (8 p.m. ET, ABC)

Quarterfinals

• Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024: Fiesta Bowl (State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Arizona)
• Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta), Rose Bowl Game (Rose Bowl — Pasadena, California) and Allstate Sugar Bowl (Caesars Superdome — New Orleans)

Semifinals

• Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025: Capital One Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium — Miami)
• Friday, Jan. 10, 2025: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas)

National championship

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

What bowl games are in CFP? 

The Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic are the six bowl games featured in the CFP.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00