The No. 5 Longhorns host the No. 12 Tigers for a College Football Playoff first-round matchup. The programs have never met. The winner faces No. 4 Arizona State in a quarterfinal on New Year's Day. Clemson beat SMU in dramatic fashion to win the ACC.
The No. 8 Mustangs (11-1) and No. 17 Tigers (9-3) meet for the first time, in the ACC championship game. SMU went 8-0 in-conference in its first ACC campaign. Clemson plays in its 10th ACC final, losing in 2009 and winning eight from 2011 to 2022.
The No. 8 Mustangs (11-1) and No. 17 Tigers (9-3) meet for the first time, in the ACC championship game. SMU went 8-0 in-conference in its first ACC campaign. Clemson plays in its 10th ACC final, losing in 2009 and winning eight from 2011 to 2022.