Texas vs. Clemson: Live updates, scores for the first round of the College Football Playoff

The Longhorns’ star wide receiver Isaiah Bond is officially out of action against Clemson with an ankle injury. Bond has 532 yards and five touchdowns for Texas this season, and Quinn Ewers will have to rely on Matthew Golden and freshman Ryan Wingo in the passing game.

BREAKING: Texas WR Isaiah Bond wears street clothes during warmups and will not play for the Longhorns today. pic.twitter.com/5Oy6OZVJXb

– Rivals (@Rivals) December 21, 2024

There are just a few hours left until Clemson and Texas meet in the College Football Playoff.

Clemson looks to upset Quinn Ewers and Texas in Longhorn Kingdom.

Catch the opening launch on Max at 4:00 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/EJoz3QbPNC

– Sport on Max (@SportsonMax) December 21, 2024

No. 5 Texas hosts No. 12 Clemson in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. This game will be played on Saturday, December 21st at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

• WHEN: 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21st
• TV:TNT
• STREAMING: MAX

Our first of two first-round Blueblood playoff games takes place Saturday afternoon at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium as SEC runner-up Texas takes on ACC champion Clemson.

Texas finished the year 11-0 against teams not named Georgia, but home losses to the Dawgs in the regular season and a loss in the SEC Championship Game put Texas just out of contention for a first-round bye. Texas continued to improve as the season progressed, particularly on defense. They had an impressive performance in the final week of the regular season, defeating Texas A&M without an offensive touchdown. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Quinn Ewers will have time to heal from a right ankle injury. At 100%, he is arguably the most talented quarterback in the country.

Clemson clinches a playoff spot despite being ranked No. 16 in the final CFP Top 25. The ACC champs receive an automatic bid to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Dabo Swinney’s program is built around senior quarterback Cade Klubnik, whose 42 touchdowns ranked third in the nation. Losses of possession usually decide games for the Tigers. With a sales margin of +16, it ranks second in the country.

The final College Football Playoff rankings of the season form the basis for the 2024 College Football Playoff. Here are the complete top 25:

The winner of Texas and Clemson will face No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 2025.

Since the College Football Playoff’s inception in 2014, seven teams have won a national championship. Michigan won the last version of the four-team playoffs in 2023.

Here is every College Football Playoff champion: