Clemson Faces Texas in College Football Playoff

In the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff, No. 12 seed Clemson (10-3) faces No. 5 seed Texas (11-2) on Saturday, with both teams aiming for a shot at the national championship. Clemson, returning to the playoffs after a four-year absence, enters the game with a renewed confidence following a dramatic ACC championship victory. Texas, having suffered a recent overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC title game, looks to capitalize on its dominant defense but has struggled offensively in recent weeks. The matchup features a highly anticipated quarterback rematch between Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Texas's Quinn Ewers, who previously faced off in the Texas Class 6A state championship. This historic game marks the first meeting between the two programs, which have never crossed paths in their long football histories. Both teams understand the stakes, with the winner advancing to face Arizona State in the next round of the playoffs.