The Texas Longhorns had a strong showing in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, defeating the Clemson Tigers 38-24 in front of a passionate DKR crowd.
Texas is one of only eight teams left to qualify for the national championship, and in the eyes of some, is probably the team in the best position to win it all.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Longhorns are currently the favorites to win the National Championship, with odds of +310 as of this article’s publication. The Ohio State Buckeyes are a close second at +330, followed by the Oregon Ducks and Georgia Bulldogs at +480.
On Saturday, the Longhorns looked like a title contender. Jadon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner each rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the day, running through the Tigers’ defense. Clemson had some interesting action in the fourth quarter, but the Texas defense responded with another big goal-line stand.
Last season, the Longhorns came very close to making it to the national championship, losing 37-31 to the Washington Huskies in the CFP semifinals at the Sugar Bowl. That shortcoming has been a constant motivator for coach Steve Sarkisian’s team this season.
“Being as close as we were and not having the opportunity to play in that game, frankly, really energized us in the offseason, winter conditioning, spring ball, and summer training running back. “It’s 4 p.m. DKR, it’s 115 degrees, that’s why we gave it our all,” Sarkisian told reporters after Saturday’s game. “We’re far from there. We have a few more games to get there. But if we can get as close as we did, that’s a big motivation.”
To be sure, the Longhorns still have a ways to go before reaching that point. They will next return to Atlanta to face the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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