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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 7: The Clemson Tigers offensive line huddle before a play against the SMU Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
It’s just over 24 hours until kickoff time in Texas, where the Clemson Tigers will meet the Texas Longhorns in a first-round College Football Playoff game in Austin.
Despite three losses — to Georgia, Louisville and South Carolina — Clemson (10-3) reached the playoffs with a 34-31 upset win over the SMU Mustangs in the ACC Championship Game two weeks ago. Freshman Nolan Hauser kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Tigers to an incredible victory.
For coach Dabo Swinney, this is his seventh appearance in the College Football Playoff since Clemson’s first appearance in 2015. It’s the first time the Tigers have been to the CFP since 2020.
Standing in their way is a Texas (11-2) team that hopes to snap a 19-year national championship drought but has faced its own close calls at times this season. The Longhorns’ two losses were both to the Georgia Bulldogs, and they struggled early in a 27-24 win over Vanderbilt and in a 20-10 win against Arkansas on Nov. 16.
More recently, talk has grown about whether Texas coach Steve Sarkisian should turn to backup Arch Manning to take over for starter Quinn Ewers, who has struggled down the stretch including two crucial interceptions in the team’s 22-19 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
Kickoff for Clemson vs. Texas is set for 4 p.m. ET Saturday. The game will be televised on TNT.
On the eve of the Tigers’ first-ever meeting with the Longhorns, here’s what some in the national media are saying about Clemson-Texas, including some final score predictions.
Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports
Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images
Dennis Dodd made his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-experts-final-score-194454128.html
Author : Clemson Wire
Publish date : 2024-12-20 19:44:00
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