The Texas Longhorns begin a hopeful college football playoff run Saturday at DKR against the Clemson Tigers. Texas is an 11.5 point favorite in the game, the largest spread of any of the first round games.
Fox Sports lead analyst Joel Klatt broke down the game for The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast. The former Colorado QB took a look first at Texas’ stout defense.
“The most underrated unit, maybe in America, I think you can make an argument is the Texas defense. The Texas defense right now is No. 1 in the country in yards per play defense and No. 2 in scoring defense. … Can Clemson score over 20 points? … I believe the answer is ‘No.’ So if you start with that premise, you immediately have to go to the Texas offense and you have to wonder to yourself, ‘What’s Texas’ offense going to do in this game?”
— Joel Klatt
It is the Texas offense that gives Klatt the most pause. Texas’ offense has struggle mightily at times since Ewers returned from his early season oblique injury. Some of that is due to Ewers lack of mobility in the later half of the season. The Southlake product also suffered an ankle injury in the Kentucky game, which limited him against Texas A&M and Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
“Ewers is not playing very well. The back half of the year, I have felt on a number of occasions that Texas’ offense would be better with Arch Manning. I know that’s hyperbolic. I candidly hate saying that. But I think it’s the case. And it’s the case because when Ewers doesn’t have mobility … he can’t scamper for first downs. And when you can’t move the chains with your legs as a quarterback, even just a couple of times, then the premium on your ability to be a great passer goes way up. You’ve got to throw guys open. You’ve got to be dynamic as a passer.”
— Joel Klatt
The big question for Klatt is whether or not Texas can get to 20 points. Even with Ewers struggles, he thinks they can.
“What do we see from Sark, generally speaking, after a long lay off? Great game plans. And so I fully expect him to have something cooked up for this Clemson defense that is going to allow Quinn Ewers to succeed. So do I think Texas can get to 20 points? Yes.”
— Joel Klatt
But if Ewers struggles, Klatt thinks Sark should turn to Manning quickly.
“I do think Ewers is going to have a short leash. I think of Tua with Jalen Hurts. I think this is it! You’ve got to win this game to move on. There’s no other game after this.”
— Joel Klatt
So, who does the Fox man think will win the game?
“I like Texas to win this game. Texas is going to get close to 30 points. I think they score 27. Clemson does not score 20 points. I think they score 17. … The Texas defense is going to win this game for them. 27-17. Texas wins this game. And I’m taking the points for Clemson.”
— Joel Klatt
Texas hosts Clemson at DKR Saturday afternoon at 3pm CT on TNT.