The first round of the College Football Playoff featured four losing teams, but each of the four leaves the year on firm ground. It was nearly unthinkable that SMU or Indiana could play for a national championship entering the year.

The Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns met in the first-round of the newly expanded College Football Playoff, and the game ended up being a good one for the most part. Coming into the game, the Longhorns were a sizable favorite against the Tigers,

Clemson football has a rich history in the College Football Playoff, though it has not been in the tournament since 2020. The Tigers have played their best football in the CFP in the Dabo Swinney era, but they have never traveled for a true road game.