Texas is set to host Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoffs on Saturday afternoon, and Vegas sees the Longhorns as a two-point favorite over the Tigers in the postseason.

On the ESPN College GameDay podcast, Rece Davis, Pete Thamel and Ryan McGee give their thoughts on how the game could turn out and whether it could be more interesting than the odds suggest.

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McGee says the Tigers have a chance in DKR.

“It’s interesting talking to people where I live in the Carolinas because everyone has said some of these people are employed at major universities. It’s the worst thing about Clemson that this team couldn’t get out of the way and this is taking place in the College Football Playoff. Should have lost the ACC championship game three or four times and they’re in the College Football Playoff.”

McGee was there in the Longhorns’ SEC title game against Georgia and couldn’t match the size of the Texas players and the physicality with which they played. He chose Texas, but he expects the game to be closer than Vegas predicts.

For Thamel, part of him wanted to choose Clemson, but ultimately he couldn’t bring himself to bet against the Longhorns in Austin. However, the college football insider offered some insight into what could lead the Tigers to victory.

“I’m very excited,” Thamel told his colleagues about Clemson’s chances. “If Clemson wants to win this game, Cade Klubnik has to come back to Austin – he’s a graduate of Westlake High School – and he has to play the game of his life.”

Still, Thamel agreed with McGee that this duel will ultimately be won in the trenches, with physicality playing a big role in determining the winner.

“They kind of saw them beat Georgia in the SEC title game and the Texas O-line I think will hold up well against a very good defense (Clemson) so I’m going to go with ‘Hook Em.'” Thamel continued. “But I think this game will be a lot of fun – I just think Dabo (Swinney) will be the fly in the ointment here.”

Rece Davis is a known fan of Dabo Swinney as head coach and is excited to see what a three-loss Clemson team that had to do everything it could across the board to even get into the CFP can do with this opportunity.

“The best thing about Clemson is that despite all their success, winning two national championships and being in multiple playoff appearances, they can come into the playoffs and say, ‘Nobody expects anything from us, let it go.'” fly,’” Davis said to McGee and Thamel. “That’s when I think motivation is sometimes overrated this time of year because everyone should be motivated to try to win a championship.”

With no motivation needed before Saturday’s clash, kickoff between the Tigers and Longhorns is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET live on TNT and Max.