How will the Tigers score in this game? Clemson has faced two SEC defenses this season, Georgia and South Carolina, and had its two worst offensive performances of the year, scoring three and 14 points, respectively. Meanwhile the Longhorns have arguably the best defense in the country, allowing just 12.5 points per game (second best in the nation). In addition, the Tigers figure to struggle running the ball with Phil Mafah playing with a shoulder injury and backup Jay Haynes out after tearing an ACL. Meanwhile Texas, with quarterback Quinn Ewers in a funk, has scored 20 points or fewer in two of its past three games. Under is the top play. Two units.

This spread in Austin is pushing slightly upward and we're glad to look the other way. By us, Clemson is the true wild card in the playoff field, playing with house money just being here, and the Tigers already showed how dangerous they can be when loose and letting it fly as they did in the ACC title game at Charlotte, jumping on SMU with two early scores. Metroplex product Cade Klubnik passed for 4 TDs vs. SMU, and had a hot South Carolina all but beat in the previous game. Moreover, Quinn Ewers is under pressure in front of a demanding home crowd that wants Arch Manning, and note Horns offensive struggles vs. Arkansas, A&M, and Georgia down the stretch. Play Clemson

Major blowout potential here. Texas couldn't get past Georgia but fared pretty damn well vs everyone else. This is not a special Clemson team, the crowd will be a major factor and the Horns are used to covering big numbers. Clemson's strength of opponent is kind of laughable at this point. Sark might hang a 50-burger on a team that allowed 31+ to UVA, NC St and Louisville.

The main battle of the playoff game will be Clemson's 12th-ranked offense which gains 454 yards per game against the third-ranked Texas defense allowing only 249 yards per game. Clemson comes in with three losses and they barely beat SMU in the ACC championship game but they got beat by South Carolina, Louisville, and then Georgia in the season opener 34-3. Texas allows only 12.5 points per game, ranked second in the nation. Texas has two losses in the season and both were to Georgia. The schedules are not comparable, Texas at home takes care of business.

When it comes to trusting a QB, Clemson's Cade Klubnik has shown he's more than ready to step up into the spotlight and make a play. He looks like a completely different QB than he did vs Georgia. The Tigers have been playing in playoff mode for about a month now, and 12 points seems like a lot here vs Texas.

With multiple weeks to prepare for a game this season, the Longhorns scored 52, 34, and 49 points. Meanwhile, their defense only gave up more than 17 three times, including twice to Georgia. Double-digit favorites are 8-0 in College Football Playoff history, with only one having won by less than 17 points. I would be surprised if this game was close. Texas 30, Clemson 13.

The Tigers were given a postseason lifeline because of Miami’s stunning upset loss to Syracuse, and they predictably made the most of it. Their dramatic 34-31 walk-off victory over upstart SMU put them into the 12-team playoff and, again, we don’t expect Clemson to go quietly. Although the Longhorns might have the most overall talent in the country, they still struggle on the biggest of stages. This was evident in last year’s loss to Washington in the four-team playoff, and Texas also fell 22-19 against short-handed Georgia in the SEC title game. This is far from Dabo Swinney's most talented Clemson club, but it is a resilient one. With a house-money mentality in tow, look for the Tigers to push this to the wire.