Texas Football will host the Clemson Tigers for the first round of the College Football Playoffs. The Longhorns are coming off a loss against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship.
While it stinks not to have the bye week in the playoffs, it will help the Longhorns in the long run if they advance to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. It should be an exciting matchup for the Longhorns this weekend.
The Longhorns have many advantages over the Clemson Tigers. Texas has one of the best defenses in the country, and it can stop any offense in its tracks. They also have a really good offense that can keep a defense on their toes. They also have a deafening atmosphere in Austin, which should help them advance to the second round of the playoffs. Here are four reasons why the Longhorns will beat the Clemson Tigers on Saturday.
Why Texas football will defeat Clemson in the College Football Playoff: 4. Stone cold defense
The Longhorns have one of the best defenses in college football this season. Just go back and look at some of the scores during conference play. Who would have thought that Texas would have stonewalled Oklahoma's offense in its tracks?
The defensive line and the secondary complement each other, creating a perfect storm to stop opponents. Texas's defense is one of the four reasons why the Longhorns should beat the Clemson Tigers and advance to the second round.
3. Running game
Running backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner are the conductors of the Longhorns' running game. After CJ Baxter got injured during fall camp this year, there were a lot of questions and concerns about how the Longhorns would run the ball.
Both running backs rose to the occasion and helped the Longhorns to the SEC Championship game. The running game will be a key part of why the Longhorns beat the Tigers on Saturday.
2. Quinn Ewers
Quinn Ewers knows his time is running out in Austin with the Longhorns. After two years of development, the Longhorns seem ready to start Arch Manning at quarterback next season. Early reports have Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft after this season.
However, Ewers can add another chapter to his career at Texas with a win this weekend. Ewers has shown that he can handle the spotlight in big games. Ewers' experience and poise are the third reason the Longhorns should beat the Clemson Tigers this weekend.
1. Home Crowd Advantage
There's no better consolation prize for losing the SEC Championship than hosting the College Football Playoffs opening round. Texas finished the regular season with only one loss in Austin. I'm sure the stadium will have Longhorns fans ready to cheer them on to victory.
I doubt Texas wants their season to end losing in Austin. That's why the home crowd is the final reason the Longhorns should beat the Tigers on Saturday.