Texas Football received news on who they will play in the first round of the College Football Playoffs yesterday. They will take on the Clemson Tigers at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21st. It's not what the Longhorns envisioned to happen since they had high hopes to win the SEC Championship. However, all they can control now is how far they advance in the playoffs this season.
If the Longhorns were to win, they would travel to the Peach Bowl to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Longhorns have a good chance to go far this season based on where they were seeded in the bracket.
Not having a bye week should benefit the Longhorns more than having one. They won't be sitting a week and then have to take on a football team coming off a first-round win. Here are four reasons why playing in the first round will benefit the Longhorns in the College Football Playoffs.
Why Texas football benefits from the first-round Playoff game: 4. Get to host another game at DKR
The Longhorns benefit from playing in the first round of the College Football Playoffs because they get to host a home game against Clemson. Texas has a good home record this season, and the Texas faithful will show up in droves to see them advance to the quarterfinals against Arizona State. While losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship was painful, the Longhorns have their home crowd cheering them on this time instead of hearing Georgia fans.
3. Will fix the mistakes in a familiar environment
The Longhorns will fix their mistakes from the SEC Championship game at home. After committing many penalties in the SEC Championship game, Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian needs to get the team to relax and be disciplined.
I think the best thing for Senior quarterback Quinn Ewers is to have a home game to get his head on straight. I know he's still sad the Longhorns couldn't stop the Bulldogs in overtime in the championship game.
However, that's in the past, and he needs to move forward with the Longhorns' schedule in front of them. Getting back to the basics in Austin for him after losing an important game is another reason why not having a bye week is good for the Longhorns.
2. Quinn Ewers can get his head on straight
I think the best thing for junior quarterback Quinn Ewers is to have a home game to get his head on straight. I know he's still sad the Longhorns couldn't stop the Bulldogs in overtime in the championship game.
However, that's in the past, and he needs to move forward with the Longhorns' schedule in front of them. Getting back to the basics in Austin for him after losing an important game is another reason why not having a bye week is good for the Longhorns.
1. One more curtain call for the seniors
Another reason not having a bye week in the playoffs will benefit the Longhorns is one more curtain call for the seniors. After the first round, all the games will be on national neutral sites. Getting to host at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium allows the home crowd to give one more send-off to the Seniors after all they contributed to the football program's success.
There will be some tears in the house because it stinks to lose seniors who have contributed so much to the football program.