One player who could be an x-factor for the Clemson Tigers as they enter their most important matchup of the year is defensive end TJ Parker. H

No. 12 Clemson will play No. 5 Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Here’s how the teams match up and our score prediction.

As part of guidance issued to teams hosting first-round playoff games, Clemson as the visiting team was given an option to have a more formal, neutral-site style team runout at Texas’ stadium and play a hype video on the video board while they enter. The Tigers plan to do it, an athletic department spokesman told The State.

Texas wideout Isaiah Bond faces long odds to play against Clemson as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain, sources told ESPN.

The Texas Longhorns could be without one of their top receivers for Saturday's first-round College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Texas receiver Isaiah Bond "faces long odds" to play Saturday as he continues to deal with the ankle injury that forced him into a walking boot after the SEC Championship vs.