The stage is set for the first-ever College Football Playoff game at DKR in Austin between No. 3 Texas football (11-2, 7-1 SEC) and the No. 16 Clemson Tigers (10-3, 7-1 ACC). Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian start the first of four possible games in the College Football Playoff as they hope to make it to the national championship this postseason against the ACC Champion Clemson in the first round today.
The Longhorns' defense is one of the top units in all of college football, facing an explosive and talented Clemson offense led by dual-threat quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Texas needs more from the offense and starting quarterback Quinn Ewers against a Clemson team that can really score and challenge the Longhorns if they're not prepared for a dynamic offense from the Tigers.
Here's a look at the final betting odds and game prediction for the first round of the College Football Playoff between five-seed Texas and 12-seed Clemson at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX, on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. CT.
Texas football vs. Clemson odds
Texas is a 13.5-point favorite against Clemson in the CFP. And the Longhorns are favored in the money line (-610) over the Tigers (+440), per FanDuel. The over/under is 49.5 points.
The pregame betting odds have moved a few points in the Longhorns' favor since Texas was listed as an 11.5-point favorite over Clemson earlier this week.
Texas football vs. Clemson prediction
From what we've seen from the Texas offense in recent weeks down the stretch this season, the struggles the Longhorns had in the red zone and keeping the chains moving in the second half when it matters could limit the Longhorns against Clemson.
Texas still has the sizable matchup advantage on paper over Clemson, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Clemson's skill weapons are talented, but pretty young and inexperienced with two of the top three receivers being underclassmen for the Tigers.
The Longhorns also have the depth advantage in the trenches in this game. Running the football successfully will be key to Texas grinding down the Clemson defensive front in the second half of this game, as the Longhorns did in double-digit wins over Kentucky and Texas A&M at the conclusion of the regular season.
It also hurts the Longhorns that junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond is out for this game due to a lingering high ankle sprain injury, per Orangebloods' Anwar Richardson. Starting offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and Ewers are likely to play for the Longhorns vs. Clemson.