CFP takeaways: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian finds recipe for success in win over Clemson

With questions surrounding the quarterback position and whether Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning gives Texas the best chance to lead the team to a championship, the Longhorns offered an alternative against Clemson.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik

Klubnik gave the Tigers a reason to be excited about 2025. The Austin native was the better quarterback against Texas, finishing 26-of-43 for 336 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

He made several big throws in the second half as Clemson attempted a comeback from a 21-point deficit.

The junior also had his big game without help from Clemson's rushing offense. The Tigers had 76 yards, with wide receiver Adam Randall leading the team with 44 yards. Running backs Keith Adams Jr., Jarvis Green and Phil Mafah combined to rush seven times for 27 yards.

Klubnik is draft-eligible but hasn't announced his plans for 2025 yet. If he returns to Clemson, he should be able to improve his draft stock.

His strong connection with freshman T.J. Moore was displayed in the loss. Moore led the Tigers with career-highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (116 yards), and Clemson recently added transfer Tristan Smith, who had 76 receptions, 934 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2024 at Southeast Missouri State.

With Klubnik, Clemson could have its best passing attack since Trevor Lawrence was its quarterback.

Electric home atmosphere

Let's enjoy the moment while it lasts. As disappointing as the three double-digit results to start the CFP have been, the home atmospheres have made up for it.

That was also true at Texas, where fans didn't throw bottles onto the field like at its last high-profile game. Baby steps.

The raucous environments aren't replicable in the corporate, impersonal bowl settings. If anything, more CFP games should be at home stadiums. It's borderline criminal that fans at Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State won't get to enjoy similar environments. 

"I think this is amazing for college football," Sarkisian said afterward. 

We can't wait to discover how the decision-makers ruin it, like scheduling the First Round games on neutral sites.

Longhorns injuries a potential cause for concern

During the game, college football insider CJ Vogel noted several potentially significant Longhorns injuries, including those of Tre Wisner, right tackle Cam Williams and center Jake Majors.

Wisner and Williams rode stationary bikes for most of the second half, while Vogel shared Majors had his helmet and appeared as though "he could go if needed."

Per Pro Football Focus data, Majors allowed 13 total pressures and no sacks in 486 pass-rush opportunities, while Williams allowed 21 pressures and three sacks guarding the edge.

Both have started all 14 games, and the playoffs aren't the time a team wants to try out new offensive line combos.

The Longhorns were already thin at running back with preseason injuries to C.J. Baxter and Christian Clark, and losing Wisner would further deplete the unit.

Looking ahead

The Longhorns play four-seed Arizona State (11-2) in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.

Sun Devils running back Cameron Skattebo versus the Longhorns rush defense will be one of the best matchups of the quarterfinals.

Skattebo is a bruising runner, gaining 1,085 yards after contact during the season. (h/t PFF)

Through Arizona State's first 13 games, he has 263 carries, 1,568 yards (six yards per attempt) and 19 touchdowns.

Texas contained Clemson's rushing attack, limiting it to 76 yards on 24 carries (3.2 yards per carry). The Longhorns entered their CFP first-round game 13th in FBS in rush defense (106.4 yards per game).

Arizona State's rush defense will be under scrutiny, too, after what Texas did against Clemson. The Sun Devils rank 27th against the run (117.5 yards per game), allowing 3.8 yards per attempt.