Planting now will allow the roots to develop during the winter. Fall is arguably a better time to plant than in the spring. =)

Don't feel so bad, I was wondering the same thing. lol
You hear people saying hard prune it's first year, and I always wonder, "Is that the year I planted or are you talking about next spring?" lol
If the planting year is the "first year" then some of my clems will be leeping next spring! Yay!
I would also get them in the ground ASAP, and make sure to plant 2 to 4 inches deeper than the container, that way a couple of nodes will be buried and grow next spring if the rest of the top growth dies out. Other more experienced clem lovers may have better suggestions.

IF I was planting a Clematis right now I'd hard prune it when I planted it and again next spring.

Definitely plant deeper.