Texas
5 things to know about Clemson, Texas Longhorns’ opponent in the College Football Playoff
Here are five things to know about Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers before they head to Austin to take on the Longhorns in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m.
Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin
TV: TNT Streaming: MAX
1. How they got here
There are 12 teams in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers are team No. 12.
Clemson snuck into the Playoff with a 10-3 record despite losing the final game of its regular season to South Carolina. A 7-1 record in ACC play was enough to get the Tigers to the conference championship, though, and in a must-win game against SMU they nailed a last-second field goal to clinch the 12th and final spot in the 12-team bracket.
Clemson’s title game win was an all-time classic, the Tigers having led by 17 entering the fourth quarter before allowing the Mustangs to tie it with 16 seconds left. Clemson responded with a 41-yard kickoff return then a 17-yard pass before hitting the frantic game-winning field goal.
2. Clinging to a dynasty
Dabo Swinney has been the face of Clemson football for well over a decade now, and his program still appears to be clinging to the remnants of the Clemson dynasty Swinney had set up in the mid-2010s.
From 2015-2020 Clemson lost just seven games under Swinney, winning two national championships and finishing a perfect 15-0 in 2018. The Tigers have had down years in 2021 and 2023 but won the ACC in both 2022 and this season, 2024.
3. Welcome home, QB1
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is a true junior who has spent all three years with the Tigers, though he’s originally from Austin and won the 2021 6A state championship with powerhouse Austin Westlake.
Klubnik’s opponent in that state title game? The Quinn Ewers-led Dragons of Southlake Carroll. Westlake rolled to a 52-34 win.
4. Key to victory?
It might be on the ground for the Longhorns.
Clemson has struggled to stop the run in 2024, its defense finishing 14th out of 17 ACC teams in rushing yards allowed. The Tigers are giving up 150.5 yards on the ground per game.
They were run all over in their three losses this season, including in the 34-3 thwacking by Georgia in the Tigers’ opening game. The Bulldogs ran for 169 yards. Louisville ran for 210, and South Carolina a staggering 267.
Meanwhile running back Quintrevion Wisner has been surging in the Longhorns’ backfield, averaging 131.6 yards over his last three games. Jaydon Blue has also had a strong season for Texas. The two could be leaned on heavily for the Horns vs. Clemson.
5. No one like Dabo
The Clemson head coach is unlike any other in college football.
He’s one of the game’s biggest characters, along with being very open about his devout Christianity. He said of his Tigers in 2022: “We built this program on NIL. … It’s probably different from what you’re thinking, though. We built this program in God’s name, image and likeness.”
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