ACCN Analyst Calls Texas Matchup ‘Extremely Difficult’ for Clemson
By: Jason Priester December 12, 2024

When Clemson travels to Austin to face off with No. 5 Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff on December 21, the Tigers’ offense will have its work cut out for them.

The Longhorns field one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing just 12.5 points per game. Only three times has an opponent scored more than 17 points against the Texas defense. Georgia did it twice in two wins over the Longhorns and Vanderbilt did it in a 27-24 loss in October.

Texas also leads the nation in pass defense (143.1 YPG). The Longhorns have allowed just four touchdown passes all season and are giving up just 4.0 yards per play.

If Clemson is going to pull off the upset, Cade Klubnik and his receivers are going to have to find ways to have some success down the field. ACCN analyst Eric Mac Lain believes Bryant Wesco needs to be a major factor and coming off the freshman’s career night in the ACC Championship Game, he sees a receiver playing with a lot of belief in himself.

“I think that confidence is exactly what Clemson needs,” Mac Lain said. “Because Texas has the number one pass defense in the country.”

With Klubnik and Wesco hailing from the state of Texas, Mac Lain expects both to be more than motivated to go out and perform in what will be a homecoming for both players.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult,” Mac Lain added. “You are going to have to win these 50/50 balls and there is going to be a lot of juice for him. And for Cade and the excitement of that. And these guys wanting to perform at a school that they probably grew up watching.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!