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No. 12 Clemson Tigers at No. 5 Texas Longhorns
(Saturday, 4 PM EST on TNT/Max)
Texas’ elite rushing attack and defensive front should overwhelm Clemson, whose edge defense and interior offensive line are a weakness.
Can Clemson Contain Texas’ Explosive Outside Zone Rushing Attack?
The No. 5 Texas Longhorns (11-2) narrowly missed a first-round bye after an overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship, while No. 12 Clemson (10-3) earned the final playoff seed with a dramatic win over SMU in the ACC Championship. Texas brings a potent rushing attack and elite defense into the matchup, while Clemson relies heavily on the playmaking ability of QB Cade Klubnik. With the winner advancing to face No. 4 Arizona State in the quarterfinals, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these two storied programs.
Three Keys for Texas to Win
1. Exploit Clemson’s Weakness on Outside Runs
Texas has a dominant offensive line anchored by Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cameron Williams, who thrive in outside zone concepts. Clemson has struggled to contain outside runs, allowing 6.0 yards per carry on those plays, the sixth-worst in the Power Four. Texas needs to lean on this advantage and create explosive plays on the ground with Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue.
2. Dominate on Defense
Texas boasts the best defense in college football, ranking first in coverage grade (92.9) and third in pass-rushing grade (90.2). The Longhorns must pressure Cade Klubnik and force him into mistakes while shutting down Clemson’s interior rushing attack.
3. Avoid Turnovers
Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense have been susceptible to turnovers in key games. Keeping the ball secure and avoiding momentum-shifting plays will be critical against a Clemson defense that thrives on creating takeaways.
Key NFL Draft Prospect to Watch for Texas:
Kelvin Banks Jr., OTA potential top-10 pick, Banks excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His ability to neutralize Clemson’s edge rushers and pave the way for outside runs will be crucial for Texas’ success.
Three Keys for Clemson to Win
1. Cade Klubnik Must Be Elite
Klubnik has proven he can make big plays, ranking eighth among FBS quarterbacks with an 87.5 passing grade. Against Texas’ top-ranked defense, he must rise to the occasion and deliver a near-perfect performance.
2. Shore Up the Edge Defense
Clemson’s edge rushers have struggled to contain outside zone runs, but this must change against Texas. Players like T.J. Parker and Jaheim Lawson need to step up to prevent Texas from dominating on the perimeter.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
Clemson has a knack for creating turnovers in high-stakes games, and that could be the equalizer against a more talented Texas team. Short fields and game-changing plays are essential for the Tigers to pull off the upset.
Key NFL Draft Prospect to Watch for Clemson:
Cade Klubnik, QB
The engine of Clemson’s offense, Klubnik’s dual-threat ability, and decision-making under pressure will be pivotal. If he can exploit Texas’ defense and avoid mistakes, Clemson has a chance to keep the game competitive.
Current Odds and Prediction
Texas: -11.5
Implied Game Total: 51.5 Points
Predicted Score: Texas 31, Clemson 20
Texas’ elite rushing attack and defensive front should overwhelm Clemson, whose edge defense and interior offensive line are glaring weaknesses. While Cade Klubnik has the talent to keep Clemson competitive, the Tigers will struggle to score consistently against Texas’ top-tier defense.
The Longhorns take care of business at home and advance to the Peach Bowl to face Arizona State.