NCAAF Playoff First Round Game Lines: Clemson at Texas Picks

After a short period of time to recuperate and get ready, the 12 playoff teams will be heading into action sooner rather than later.

For the teams that ended in the top 4, there is still time to rest before the battles still to come, as well as an opportunity to take a look at the teams they might well face down the road.

NCAAF Playoff First Round Game Lines Analysis

For those playing in Round 1, it’s all about getting the win by any means necessary. The fact of the matter is that style points go out the window when you get to the postseason, as it’s simply all about winning and moving on.

We have a big one coming right before Christmas, with Clemson and Texas set to battle in the opening round.

While both of these teams went to their respective Conference Championship Games, it is Texas who are in as a 12-point favorite. The total here is set at 51 ½.

How to Bet and Watch the NCAAF Playoff First Round Game Lines

MyBookie NCAAF Moneylines: Clemson +350 / Texas -475
Date & Time: Saturday, December 21 at 4 PM EST
Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin
TV: TNT

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NCAAF Playoff Games Odds provided by MyBookie

NCAAF Playoff First Round Game Prediction

I am a little torn with this one, as I do like Texas to come away with the win. The question is whether they can cover that double-digit spread. I am taking a shot at them doing it, and I am also going with the OVER.

Clemson Tigers 17, Texas Longhorns 35

Clemson Tigers Analysis and Trends

Heading into Conference Championship Weekend, the Clemson Tigers were sitting outside the top 12.

They somewhat backed into the ACC Championship Game, thanks to Miami going in the tank, but they still needed to beat SMU to make it to the playoffs, which is exactly what they did.

Considering that they basically got destroyed by Georgia in the opening week of the regular season, the feeling is that they could be onto another beating against another good SEC team.

Committed‼️ @ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/dKKjBlxghI
— 1 (@DbkTristan) December 17, 2024

All of that aside, this is a team that has won 15 of their last 18 games, which includes 5 straight wins on the road.

They have not, though, been a good bet against the spread, going 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games, as well as 1-5 ATS versus the SEC. The Tigers have seen the UNDER come up in 4 of their last 6 games.

Texas Longhorns Analysis and Trends

The Longhorns had a successful first year in the SEC, going 11-1 in the regular season to get to the Conference Championship Game, which they ultimately lost to the Georgia Bulldogs, who have beaten them twice this season.

There are some who have suggested that while the Longhorns did have a successful season, they were able to deliver the goods because they avoided the better teams in the conference, other than Georgia of course.

Practice habits ➡️ Game reality

🎙️ @Officia1dae pic.twitter.com/DSHw0quSJX
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 18, 2024

All any team can do is beat the next team up, which Texas has done, winning 17 of their last 20 games. They are also 13-1 SU in their last 14 at home, with that lone loss coming to Georgia.

They are, though, just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games, which is not totally convincing, especially considering the odds in this game. The UNDER has hit in 8 of the last 9 for the Longhorns.

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