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Texas Trolls Clemson With Video Board Message Before College Football Playoff Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 5:39 PM ET

A spot in the quarterfinal is on the line as No. 5 seed Texas hosts No. 12 Clemson in a first-round College Football Playoff game on Saturday.

The Longhorns (10-2) are coming off a 22-19 overtime loss to No. 2 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, their second loss to the Bulldogs this season. Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian are the only team in the field that also made the playoff in 2023.

On the other side, ACC champion Clemson (10-3) punched a ticket to the playoff by taking down No. 11 SMU in the conference title game. Despite losses to Georgia, Louisville and No. 15 South Carolina, Dabo Swinney's Tigers reached the playoff for the first time since 2020.

Though the two have never met on the gridiron before, it appears that Texas kicked off the banter with a hilarious video board message ahead of the game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

The graphic seemed like a usual safety warning for fans in attendance. In reality, though, the Longhorns were warning their fans that a Clemson intro video was about to be played.

"We are now required to play (the clemson intro video)," the message read. "This video contains material not suitable for most Longhorns. Side effects may include uncomfortable booing or taking a restroom break."

Well played @TexasFootball marketing! @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/3sccLZB4dH
— Micah Beutell (@MBeutell25) December 21, 2024

There is a bit of familiarity between the two, as both starting quarterbacks played high school football in Texas.

Quinn Ewers, a third-year starter for the Longhorns, played at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas. He faced off against Clemson's Cade Klubnik, also a junior, in the 2021 UIL Texas football state championship game.

It was Klubnik that came out on top in that matchup, a 52-34 win for Westlake High School (Austin).

Additionally, former Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba transferred to Texas in the offseason and will start against his former team.

The Longhorns are listed as 13.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET.

The winner of Saturday's game will face Big 12 champion, No. 4 Arizona State (11-2) in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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