The Texas Longhorns blew past Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff, then survived an upset bid from Arizona State in Wednesday's 39-31 thriller at the Peach Bowl. Steve Sarkisian's squad won't be considered the power program in the CFP semifinals,

Swinney declining to go for a fourth and 1 from his own 39 on Clemson’s second possession in the first quarter. The Tigers kicked the ball away in a 7-7 game, punter Aidan Swanson booted it just 31 yards and Texas immediately scored.

The eyes of Texas are upon Steve Sarkisian, Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns as the first 12-team College Football Playoff is set to begin. The 5-seed Longhorns will take on Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers on Saturday in the first-round matchup, the game being played in Austin at the home of the higher-seed Texas.