Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoff Round 1: Predictions, top players to watch, upset outlook and more ft. Dabo Swinney
It’s a battle of two teams that weren’t expected to be playing in the first round. Texas was expected to win the SEC and receiver a bye, that was until they fell to Georgia in the SEC title game, the second time this season they lost to the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Clemson received the final spot in the playoffs by virtue of upsetting SMU in the ACC title game in overtime. The Tigers are the only three-loss team to make the round of 12.
Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoff preview
Texas was ranked as a top-four team in the nation most of the season and was rated No. 1 in September before losing a bad game to Georgia in the SEC title bout.
They are talented on both sides of the ball, with an offense that beats opponent on the ground or through the air and an opportunistic defense that can alter the momentum of games with a timely sack of the quarterback or interception.
In the past, Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney was masterful with his ability to get surefire first-round picks to return to Clemson for another season rather than take off for the NFL.
What the program has not done is dip their toe into the transfer portal, as Swinney is determined to go the old-school route and recruit players from high school rather than from other universities.
Many feel this has cost the program dearly, and a team that once battled regularly for the national title has been relegated to second-tier bowl games. It’s unlikely the victory over upstart SMU for the ACC title will change the criticism of that recent strategy.
Clemson vs Texas CFP game prediction
Texas has the advantage over Clemson at every level on both sides of the ball. The Tigers do have a solid interior defensive line, though many of the prospects have played below expectations.
DeMonte Capehart received first-round grades in some areas of the scouting community before the season, but he has not played well. There’s a push for Capehart to return to Clemson next season, though he may not have any more eligibility remaining.
Linebacker Barrett Carter is another who has been slightly disappointing after receiving first-round grades. Tight end Jake Briningstool was thought to be a Day 2 prospect, yet he is now graded as a late-round pick by most scouts.
Texas will be tough to stop. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and right tackle Cam Williams both dominate on the college level and project as first-round picks in next April’s draft.
Receiver Isaiah Bond has the speed to beat Clemson deep, while tight end Gunnar Helm is having a career campaign and will cause matchup headaches for the Tigers.
Defensively, Jahdae Barron is one of the most underappreciated cornerbacks in the nation and will goad Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik into a mistake or two.
Clemson deserves credit for stepping up and beating SMU to win the ACC title. The Tigers will need to play the game of their lives to beat Texas, and they also need the Longhorns to shoot themselves in the foot if they are to come away with the W. I don’t see it happening.
Final: Texas 42 - Clemson 17