Texas and Clemson meet for the primary time within the School Soccer Playoff

Now these two heavyweights meet for the primary time with even greater stakes: Their first spherical showdown within the newly expanded School Soccer Playoff on Saturday is step one towards what each hope is a nationwide championship.

It issues little to Tigers coach Dabo Swinney {that a} program that when dominated the CFP has to go on the highway because the lowest seed within the area at No. 12. The Tigers are simply glad to be again within the hunt.

Clemson was all however forgotten after a season-opening humiliation by the hands of Georgia, and now has some swagger and a puncher’s likelihood of successful the entire thing. Clemson gained nationwide titles in 2016 and 2018 however missed the playoff the final 4 seasons.

“We’ve overcome rather a lot to get right here. There are gamers who’ve by no means been within the playoff earlier than, so it is a big second for them,” Swinney stated. “It’s going to be like a traditional highway recreation occasions one million, as a result of that is playoff recreation … You gone fishin’ when you lose this one, as Charles Barkley likes to say. You win, you retain going. You lose, you’re finished.”

Texas is the one considered one of final yr’s 4 playoff groups to make it into the expanded area this season. The Longhorns peaked at No. 1 at midseason and there solely two losses had been to Georgia, the No. 2 seed within the playoff.

Fifth-seeded Texas earned the best to host the matchup, even when the final month was just a little tough across the edges.

The Longhorns have been carried into the postseason by a dominant protection. However in three of the final 4 video games, Texas has been held to twenty factors or much less, with only one landing within the final six quarters.

The playoff is a reset. All Texas coach Steve Sarkisian sees is a event that stretches all the best way to the Jan. 20 championship recreation. For 2 groups, there’s nonetheless a month of video games. The winner Saturday advances to the subsequent spherical towards Large 12 champion and No. 4 seed Arizona State within the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.

“That is fairly thrilling stuff, this new period of faculty soccer,” Sarkisian stated. Quarterback rivals

Quinn Ewers of Texas and Cade Klubnik of Clemson go manner again in a rivalry born out of their Texas roots. Klubnik led Austin Westlake over Ewers and Southlake Carroll in January 2021 for a Texas Class 6A state championship when each had been rated among the many prime quarterback recruits within the nation. Klubnik returns to his residence city to begin a quest for a nationwide title. Texas secondary

Klubnik faces arguably one of the best secondary within the nation. Cornerback Jahdae Barron gained the Thorpe Award as the highest defensive again, and security Michael Taaffe was a second-team All-American. Security Andrew Mukuba transferred from Clemson and has been one of many largest hitters on the group. Texas has allowed simply 4 passing touchdowns this season. Particular groups

Clemson freshman Nolan Hauser is 17 of 23 on area objectives makes an attempt and three of 6 on kicks longer than 40 yards. A kind of was a doozy: a 56-yarder as time expired to win the ACC championship. Texas senior Bert Auburn’s 61 profession area objectives rank first at school historical past, however he’s 14 of 21 this season and simply 6 of 13 past 40 yards. Large Banks

Texas expects dominant offensive deal with Kelvin Banks Jr. again within the lineup after the junior missed a lot of the final two video games with an ankle harm. Banks gained the Outland and Lombardi awards introduced to the highest lineman in faculty soccer. Clemson has 28 sacks this season. Banks has surrendered only one. Working robust

Klubnik is a twin risk as a passer and runner. However the Tigers additionally want an enormous recreation from tailback Phil Mafah, who has practically 1,200 yards this season. He has been restricted over the previous couple of video games with a nagging shoulder harm.

“He is bodily. He is massive,” stated Taaffe, the Texas security. “He bounce cuts like he is 150 kilos after which he runs the ball like he is 260. He is particular.”

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