Texas runs over Clemson in College Football Playoff, finding offensive identity at just the right time

Texas pounded Clemson to pick up the program's first-ever College Football playoff win

Clemson made things interesting in the fourth quarter for a stretch after falling into a 31-10 hole, (5) Texas (12-2) managed to hold on for a 38-24 win over the (12) Tigers (10-4) in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns have their run game to thank for the victory.

Texas exploded for a season-high 292 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry, pummeling a Clemson defense that came into the week ranked No. 90 nationally in yards allowed per carry. The Tigers' inability to stop the run ultimately decided the game. Texas running back Jaydon Blue hit a touchdown run of 38 yards to take a second-quarter lead, then another from 77 yards out to stretch Texas' fourth-quarter lead to 14.

With the win, Texas advances to the CFB Playoff quarterfinals where it will play (4) Arizona State.

Clemson will enter the offseason with questions about how to address a problematic defense. Though, it seems as if Dabo Swinney is willing to try new things given the Tigers have added a pair of transfers within the last week.  

[Dec 21, 2024 at 7:54 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Home Playoff Games Are Awesome

You know what's cool? When 100,000 fans of a home team are packed into their stadium for a playoff game. I don't think the 12-team playoff is the best way to determine a champion. But I can 100% get behind the pageantry of college sports -- the bands, the tailgates and so much else -- playing a role on the sport's biggest possible stage. 

Texas was the higher seed, and it really seemed to matter that its fans could make noise on the goal line midway through the fourth quarter when the Longhorns earned back-to-back third and fourth down stops. That's how college football should be!

[Dec 21, 2024 at 7:53 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson's Defense Needs Help

Remember when Clemson consistently boasted the best defensive line in the sport? Those days are well in the past. The Tigers' front got eaten alive by Texas as the Longhorns ran for 292 yards and four scores, including a 77-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run by Jaydon Blue.  

The Tigers came into the week at No. 90 in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per play, and it cost the them again in the playoffs. Clemson has excellent linebackers. Its problem is a defensive front that -- outside of TJ Parker -- lacks elite players. Dabo Swinney is going to have to continue taking transfers up front on defense if it hopes to field a better defense in 2024.

[Dec 21, 2024 at 7:50 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

This Is The Offense Texas Needs

Despite all the weapons at Texas' disposal, consistently scoring points against above-average competition has been an issue for the Longhorns this season. Texas failed to clear the 20-point barrier down the stretch against Georgia (twice), Arkansas and Texas A&M. But the offense woke up Saturday against Clemson, exploding for nearly 500 yards. If Texas' offense plays like this the rest of the season -- particularly the run game -- the Longhorns really don't have a weakness heading into the later stages of the playoff.

[Dec 21, 2024 at 7:36 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas run game too much for Clemson

Final: (5) Texas 38, (12) Clemson 24 

Clemson made things interesting in the fourth quarter for a stretch after falling into a 31-10 hole, (5) Texas (12-2) managed to hold on for a 38-24 win over the (12) Tigers (10-4) in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns have their run game to thank for the victory.

Texas exploded for a season-high 292 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry, pummeling a Clemson defense that came into the week ranked No. 90 nationally in yards allowed per carry. The Tigers' inability to stop the run ultimately decided the game. Texas running back Jaydon Blue hit a touchdown run of 38 yards to take a second-quarter lead, then another from 77 yards out to stretch Texas' fourth-quarter lead to 14.

With the win, Texas advances to the CFB Playoff quarterfinals where it will play (4) Arizona State.

Clemson will enter the offseason with questions about how to address a problematic defense. Though, it seems as if Dabo Swinney is willing to try new things given the Tigers have added a pair of transfers within the last week.  

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:59 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Jaydon Blue Takes Off

4Q: Texas 38, Clemson 24

Clemson was surging. Texas' offense seemed lifeless. That's when Texas running back Jaydon Blue took off for a 77-yard touchdown to give Texas a 38-24 lead with 10:48 remaining. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:53 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Cuts Texas' Lead To Seven 

4Q: Texas 31, Clemson 24 

Clemson ain't dead yet! Cade Klubnik hit true freshman T.J. Moore for a touchdown pass on fourth-and-6 to cut Texas' lead to 31-24. Clemson's now scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives while Texas has managed just three points thus far in the second half with 11:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:46 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson charges back into game

End of 3rd: Texas 31, Clemson 17

Clemson managed to cut into Texas' lead a tad in the third frame and the Tigers are driving to begin the fourth quarter. It will be second-and-10 from Texas' 47-yard-line to open the final frame. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:35 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Gets A Quick Score 

The Tigers need to score quickly to have any chance to get back into this game, and they did just that with a four-play, 55-yard touchdown drive to cut Texas' lead to 31-17. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:17 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Longhorns pulling away 

3Q Texas 31, Clemson 10 

Texas opened the second half with a long field goal drive to take a 31-10 lead. Of note, the Longhorns turned to Arch Manning near the goal line for a second down run, but he was stuffed on the play for no gain. Quinn Ewers returned to the game for third down. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 6:12 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Arch Manning Makes An Appearance

Texas brought in second-year QB Arch Manning for a third-and-short situation. The play call was a pass but Manning ended up keeping the ball, stepping out of a sack and running for the first down. Quinn Ewers returned to the game on the next play.  

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:46 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas in control

HALF: Texas 28, Clemson 10 

Clemson opened its playoff game at Texas with a touchdown. That's about all that went right for the Tigers in the first half. Texas scored touchdowns on four of its six drives, rolling for 289 yards and eight yards per play. Clemson had no defensive answers in the first half, with its biggest play of the half -- an interception that led to a field goal -- coming after a dropped pass. Clemson's offense played reasonably well, averaging 5.4 yards per play. But the unit's inability to generate any consistent rushing attack made the Tigers dimensional. 

Texas will get the ball to open the second half. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:41 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas Scores Again

2Q: Texas 28, Clemson 10

Texas had just under two minutes to potentially score again before halftime. It didn't even need all of it. The Longhorns went 65 yards for a touchdown, capped off by a 19-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to Gunnar Helm, to take a 28-10 lead with 28 seconds remaining in the half. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:34 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Inches Closer 

2Q: Texas 21, Clemson 10

The Tigers couldn't fully take advantage of the interception they forced, but they did get a little closer to Texas with a 32-yard field goal to make it 21-10 Texas. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:26 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Gets Key INT

Quinn Ewers hit DeAndre Moore for an easy completion but the ball bounded off his chest and into the hands of Clemson DB R.J. Mickens, who initially brought the INT back for a pick-six. That touchdown was called back, however, because of a block in the back. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:24 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas OT Cam Williams Limps Off 

Texas starting right tackle Cameron Williams had to be helped off the field after suffering what appears to be a lower body injury late in the second quarter. Williams is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:18 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Gets Massive 4th Down Stop

In need of any sort of momentum, Clemson got a stop on 4th-and-1 in the red zone to get the ball back with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Tigers, who received the ball first, need to create points on this drive to feel good about themselves heading into halftime. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:13 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas Nabs INT

Texas tipped a third-down pass from Cade Klubnik and true freshman edge Colin Simmons came away with the interception, which gives Texas the ball from its own 26-yard-line. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 5:08 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas Strikes Again

Texas is making it look easy on offense.

The Longhorns went up 21-7 thanks to a 16-yard run from Tre Wisner. His score gave Texas three touchdowns in three drives to open the game. Quinn Ewers is 7-for-7 with 100 yards passing, the Longhorns have 122 yards and three touchdowns and they're averaging 9.7 yards per play. Clemson has no answers at the moment. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 4:53 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas Runs It Down Clemson's Throat 

1Q: Texas 14, Clemson 7

Five straight running plays for Texas is all it took to go 65 yards and take a 14-7 lead. Tre Wisner broke off runs of 12 and 7 yards, Ryan Wingo took a reverse 7 yards and then Jaydon Blue capped off the drive with a 38-yard touchdown scamper to take the lead early in the second quarter. 

Texas' o-line is opening up massive run lanes so far as the Longhorns are averaging 9.3 yards per carry when adjusting for sack yardage. Clemson is struggling with its run fits and, frankly, just looks a little slow in pursuit. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 4:36 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Texas comes right back

1Q: Texas 7, Clemson 7

Thanks to a big fourth-down conversion in the red zone, Texas responded to Clemson's opening scoring drive with a touchdown of its own. Like his counterpart Klubnik, Quinn Ewers looked to be in firm control of the Longhorns' offense, finishing a perfect 5 for 5 with 58 yards on the drive. Tre Wisner, who had 48 yards rushing himself, capped off the drive with a rushing touchdown. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 4:25 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Clemson Strikes First

Clemson marched down the field on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Cade Klubnik looked very comfortable against Texas' pass rush, completing 6 of 7 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. He also extended a few plays with his legs. It's the best anyone's looked against Texas' defense since Georgia came to Austin earlier this season and jumped out to a massive halftime lead. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 3:54 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Star Texas WR In Street Clothes 

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond is not expected to play against Clemson. He was spotted on the sideline in street clothes during warmups. Bond has been dealing with an ankle injury that he re-aggravated in the SEC championship game against Georgia. 

[Dec 21, 2024 at 3:30 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Game Prediction

This is going to tell us a lot about the gap between Clemson and the true powers of the sport. We got that sort of measuring stick Week 1 against UGA. Is Clemson any different? I don't like the Tigers' chances. Texas is flawed itself, but the Longhorns have the best defense in college football. That's a problem for a Clemson o-line that continues to be banged up. This is close for a while, but Texas manages to pull away late. Pick: Texas -11.5

Texas vs. Clemson live stream, where to watch, TV channel, College Football Playoff odds, prediction, pick

Chris Hummer

Texas vs. Clemson prediction, pick, College Football Playoff odds, spread, TV channel, where to watch, stream

[Dec 21, 2024 at 3:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Inside the legendary Ewers vs. Klubnik Texas high school battle 

When Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik meet in the College Football Playoff on Saturday, it won't be the first time. Depending on who you talk to, it might not even be the most important time. The first time these two players met was Jan. 15, 2021, in the Texas Class 6A-Division I State Championship Game for the 2020 season.

Inside the legendary Quinn Ewers vs. Cade Klubnik Texas high school QB battle ahead of the CFP sequel

Shehan Jeyarajah

Inside the legendary Quinn Ewers vs. Cade Klubnik Texas high school QB battle ahead of the CFP sequel

[Dec 21, 2024 at 2:30 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Does Texas have a Quinn Ewers problem?

The Longhorns have a Quinn Ewers problem.

All right, that's a bit dramatic. It's more that the Longhorns and Quinn Ewers have a red zone problem. The primary problem is that they aren't performing well enough in that part of the field, and I believe Ewers is a large part of the reason why.

Texas has a Quinn Ewers problem; Arch Manning is an obvious solution if Longhorns are to make CFP run

Tom Fornelli

Texas has a Quinn Ewers problem; Arch Manning is an obvious solution if Longhorns are to make CFP run

[Dec 21, 2024 at 2:06 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

How Clemson became a 'Cinderella'

When the format of the 12-team College Football Playoff was approved, there was a set of assumptions about the role and look of the 12-seed. With automatic bids guaranteed to the highest-ranked conference champions and a convenient count of four power conferences with the opportunity to secure four first-round byes, the belief heading into the year was that the 12-seed would be occupied by conference champion from the Group of Five and the CFP's first true Cinderella.

Instead, Clemson has emerged from two big nonconference losses as the conference champion with a chance to crash the party. Here's how they made it happen. 

How powerhouse Clemson became the College Football Playoff's first 12-seed 'Cinderella' team

Chip Patterson

How powerhouse Clemson became the College Football Playoff's first 12-seed 'Cinderella' team