The Texas Longhorns fan's guide to the other College Football Playoff first round games
The Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers battle at 3 p.m. on Saturday, but three other first-round games of the College Football Playoff are scheduled for this upcoming weekend.
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How should Texas fans absorb the action? What should they be rooting for?
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee
Game Time, TV, Location: Saturday, December 21, 7 p.m. CT, ABC, Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Volunteers from Texas: DB Jermod McCoy, WR Chris Brazzell II, WR Bru McCoy (Texas transfer), OL Bennett Warren, OL Andrej Karic, OL Max Anderson, WR Trey Weary
Buckeyes from Texas: RB James Peoples, CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt, LB Payton Pierce, K Jayden Fielding, LS Morrow Evans, OL Donovan Jackson
Key matchup: Trench battle. Can a stout Volunteer defensive line successfully attack a Buckeye offensive line that has its issues? Can the Ohio State defense, one of the best in the nation, confuse Nico Iamaleava?
Intriguing storyline: *ahem* Uhh… Ryan Day?
The Texas Preference: Tennessee, because when comparing defenses the Ohio State defense is a more difficult challenge.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana
Game Time, TV, Location: Friday, December 20, 7 p.m. CT, ABC, Notre Dame Stadium – South Bend, Ind.
Fighting Irish from Texas: WR Jaden Greathouse, DL Loghan Thomas, WR KK Smith, CB Leonard Moore, RB Kedren Young, RB Jadarian Price
Hoosiers from Texas: WR Myles Price, DL Jacob Mangum-Farrar, CB Jamier Johnson (Texas transfer), DB Bryson Bonds, K Nicolas Radicic, OL Bray Lynch, DL Marcus Burris Jr., P Alejandro Quintero
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Key matchup: Indiana failed to move the ball with success against two stout Big 10 defenses in Michigan and Ohio State. Can they do it at all against the in-state rival with a defensive minded head coach?
Intriguing storyline: Marcus Freeman can be on his way toward accomplishing similar feats as Brian Kelly.
The Texas Preference: Notre Dame, so they can challenge a Georgia team Texas has struggled with.
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 SMU
Game Time, TV, Location: Saturday, December 21, 11 a.m. CT, TNT, Beaver Stadium – Happy Valley, Pa.
Mustangs from Texas: Upwards of 80 members of the SMU roster are from Texas. Former Longhorns on SMU include WR Moochie Dixon, EDGE David Abiara, EDGE Billy Walton III, P Isaac Pearson, OL Logan Parr, K Gabriel Lozano
Nittany Lions from Texas: WR Omari Evans, DE Max Granville, OL Addison Penn
Key matchup: Can Kevin Jennings maneuver around a Nittany Lion defensive front that features an All-American in Abdul Carter?
Intriguing Storyline: James Franklin is terrible against top-10 teams. Can he finally beat one in a win-or-go-home scenario?
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The Texas Preference: SMU, mild state pride, Franklin schadenfreude
