Chapel Fowler

Welcome back to the College Football Playoff, Clemson. The ACC champion Tigers are the No. 12 seed in the inaugural 12-team CFP bracket and will play a first-round game at No. 5 Texas on Saturday Dec. 21 (4 p.m., TNT).

The Tigers athletic department also gets a payday after Clemson won the ACC title, qualified for the Collefe Football Playoff.

“A lot of people think he’s just being brought in as a spot-filler, or a guy that’s going to be a career backup. I could not disagree more.”

The Tigers are set to visit the Tar Heels for an ACC game in 2025, and that matchup just got a lot more interesting.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to just shorten that learning curve and get going.”

When the Clemson football team plays on the road, coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers usually jog out of the visitors' tunnel with little to no fanfare.

Coach Dabo Swinney’s program has added a second major piece from the portal for 2025 after using it minimally for years.

“It’s sad when it ends, regardless of how it ends. ... We were in position to win the game.”

The Tigers defense allowed season highs in points, total yards and rushing yards on Saturday, prompting more frustration toward coordinator Wes Goodwin.

Saturday’s defeat at Texas dropped Clemson to 0-3 against the SEC this year and 2-6 in its last eight games vs. AP Top 10 teams.