Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoffs Preview - December 21

Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoffs Odds and Picks: Clemson Cover's As 11-Point Dogs

It took a 56-yard field goal on the final snap of the ACC championship game, but the Clemson Tigers found their way into the College Football Playoff. Now two shades of orange will collide on Dec. 21 in Austin, Texas, where the fifth-seeded Longhorns are an 11.5-point home favorite over 12th-seeded Clemson.

Neither squad has exactly established itself as a darling among sports bettors. Texas had a five-game winning streak snapped by 3-point underdog Georgia in the SEC championship and has covered in just two of its last seven. Clemson’s outright victory over 2.5-point favorite SMU in the ACC title clash marked just the second time the Tigers have covered in their past six games against FBS opposition.

Clemson vs Texas Odds

Matchup Page: Clemson vs Texas, December 21st, 4:00 pm ET

Clemson vs Texas Odds Tonight
TeamsSpreadMoneylineTotal
Clemson+11.5 (-110)+350O51.5 (-114)
Texas-11.5 (-110)-465U51.5 (-106)

Odds as of December 17 at FanDuel

Clemson vs Texas Picks - College Football Playoffs First Round

The Tigers’ ACC championship bailed out a Clemson squad that had previously lost to the three best teams on its schedule, including 34-3 to the Georgia team that just beat Texas. But aside from that season-opening debacle in Atlanta, the Tigers have been in every game, and their poor ATS record is a result of them not being able to cover as a double-digit favorite—which they certainly won’t be in Austin.

Texas, meanwhile, tends to let opponents hang around, incapable of delivering a definitive knockout punch. Texas A&M, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Mississippi State—all wins, but none of them truly convincing. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has thrown three picks over his past two games, and still looks like he’s feeling the effects of the high ankle sprain he suffered on Nov. 23 against Kentucky. It’s also hard to look past the fact that Georgia beat Texas in the SEC title game with a backup quarterback.

Clemson isn’t the type of opponent you want to let hang around, especially with such a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Cade Klubnik. And then there’s the small matter of Tigers coach Dabo Swinney being 21-7 in postseason games dating back to 2011. As it showed last week in Charlotte, Clemson knows how to win games at this time of year. Does Texas?

Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoff Pick: Clemson +11.5

Texas has gone OVER the total just once in its last nine games, the product of a pretty good defense and an offense that struggles to put opponents away. That’s just fine with Clemson, which has gone UNDER in four of its last six and would be happy with grinding out yards to shorten the game.

Clemson vs Texas College Football Playoff Pick: UNDER 51.5

Clemson vs Texas News

The big injury for Clemson involves starting running back Phil Mafah, who is suffering from an undisclosed issue and managed just 28 yards against the Mustangs. Backup Jay Haynes suffered a knee injury during the second-half kickoff of the ACC championship game and was later seen on crutches wearing a knee brace, according to USA Today. The status of both players remains uncertain. Texas receiver Isaiah Bond was set to have an MRI on the ankle he injured against Georgia and is also questionable.

Clemson vs Texas Prop Bet: Bryant Wesco Jr. Anytime TD, +260

That’s tremendous value for a freshman wide receiver who’s become indispensable to Clemson’s offense as the season has gone on. Wesco has three touchdowns over his past three games and really broke out with an eight-catch, 143-yard, two-touchdown performance against SMU. With injuries hampering the Tigers' running game, Wesco is poised to play a big role again at Texas.

Clemson vs Texas Betting Trends

  • Texas is 3-3 ATS this season against ranked opponents
  • Clemson is 2-2 ATS this season on the road
  • Texas has gone OVER in just two of seven home games this season

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Clemson vs Texas Odds
Clemson vs Texas Picks - College Football Playoffs First Round
Clemson vs Texas News
Clemson vs Texas Prop Bet: Bryant Wesco Jr. Anytime TD, +260
Clemson vs Texas Betting Trends
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