The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the CFP First Round Preview: Clemson at Texas.
Clemson went 10-3, winning the ACC Championship to qualify for the CFP. They defeated four teams that were bowl-eligible, including SMU who made the CFP field. The Tigers lost to three bowl eligible teams this season: Georgia, Louisville and South Carolina.
Offensively, the Tigers score 35.5 points per game, which ranks 16th in the country. They rush for 180.8 yards (ranked 43rd) and pass for 274.1 yards per game (ranked 17th).
Cade Klubnik has taken a step forward at quarterback this season for the Tigers. The former prized recruit has passed for 3,303 yards, 33 touchdowns and five interceptions on 63.7 percent completion. Six payers have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Antonio Williams is the leading receiver with 838 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bryant Wesco Jr. and tight end Jake Briningstool have both been good as well with 678 and 535 receiving yards respectively.
Phil Mafah has been the lead back for most of the season for the Tigers. He has 1,106 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Freshman Jay Haynes has been in the mix as well with 295 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Klubnik has utilized his legs from the quarterback position too, helping the team out with 458 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
The Tigers’ defense gives up 21.9 points per game, ranking 35th in the country. They allow 150.5 rushing yards (ranked 73rd) and 214.4 passing yards per game (ranked 61st). Barrett Carter, Wade Woodasz and Sammy Brown are a trio of linebackers that all have over 70 total tackles on the season. T.J. Parker has been a menace on quarterbacks with 11 sacks this season. Avieon Terrell has been a standout in the secondary with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
Texas won 11 games and made the SEC Championship to get selected as an at-large team for the CFP. They defeated eight bowl-eligible teams this season: Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Both of their losses came to Georgia, who is also in the CFP field.
The Longhorns score 33.6 points per game, ranking 25th in the country. They pass for 281 yards (ranked 13th) and rush for 164.4 yards per game (ranked 64th)
Quinn Ewers has been the starting quarterback for the Longhorns, while Arch Manning has also played. Ewers has passed for 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 66.2 percent completion. Manning has tallied 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 67.8 percent completion. Eight players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Matthew Golden has led the team with 738 yards and eight touchdowns. Tight end Gunnar Helm and Isaiah Bond have also been impressive with 611 and 532 receiving yards respectively.
Three running backs have contributed in a large way for the Longhorns this season. Quintrevion Wisner, Jaydon Blue and Jerrick Gibson have 863, 564 and 342 rushing yards a piece. Texas has used Manning as a runner as well and he has 100 rushing yards on the season.
The defense allows 13.5 points per game, ranking second in the FBS. The Longhorns give up 106.4 rushing yards (ranked 14th) and 142.1 passing yards per game (ranked first). Linebacker Anthony Hill has been a playmaker who has racked up 90 tackles. Colin Simmons leads the team with eight sacks, with Hill right behind him at 7.5. Jahdae Barron has been one of the best defensive backs in the country with nine passes defended and five interceptions.
Clemson defeated SMU, but has largely struggled against quality competition this season. They lost two of their three games by more than 10 points. Texas has an elite defense to shut down the Clemson offense. The Longhorns can protect their home turf and cover the spread in this one.
Texas Longhorns 31 Clemson Tigers 17
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