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NCAA Football • 1 year ago

Oklahoma vs. Clemson: 5 Things You Need To Know For Russell Athletic Bowl

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Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

5 Things You Need To For Russell Athletic Bowl

Clemson and Oklahoma will face off in the Russell Athletic Bowl (formerly the Champs Sports Bowl) at Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla., at 5:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 29 (ESPN). Clemson is ranked 17th and finished 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the ACC. Oklahoma went 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12 this season. Clemson is 18-18 all-time in bowl games while Oklahoma is 28-18-1. This game should be entertaining, but what are five things you need to know?

5. There Is Not A Lot Of History Between These Two Teams

5. There Is Not A Lot Of History Between These Two Teams

Clemson and Oklahoma are in different conferences and are not rivals; matchups between them are scarce. The Tigers are 1-2 all-time vs. the Sooners, but they won the most recent meeting when these two teams played in the 1989 Citrus Bowl. That game was played in the same stadium as this year’s matchup. These two teams rarely play each other, so enjoy the game on Dec. 29.

4. Both Teams Won Big Bowl Games Last Season

4. Both Teams Won Big Bowl Games Last Season

Both teams won BCS Bowl games last season. Clemson went to the Orange Bowl and, behind great performances by QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins, the Tigers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 40-35. The Sooners played in the Sugar Bowl and beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 45-31. Both Ohio State and Alabama are in the first ever College Football Playoff this year, so those were quality wins by Clemson and Oklahoma in their respective bowl games.

3. Clemson’s Defense vs. Oklahoma’s Offense Will Be Fun To Watch

3. Clemson’s Defense vs. Oklahoma’s Offense Will Be Fun To Watch

The Tigers can score points (30.1 PPG, 60th), but their bread is buttered with their defense which has allowed only 17.6 PPG this season (7th). The Sooners' defense did not rise to the challenge in 2014, allowing an average of 24.8 PPG (48th), but their offense has averaged 38.9 PPG (11th). It will be interesting to watch Clemson’s defense go up against Oklahoma’s offense, particularly the Tigers' run defense and the Sooners' run game.

2. There Is Talent On Both Teams

2. There Is Talent On Both Teams

Both teams have talented players. The Tigers have DE Vic Beasley (Bednarik Award finalist), WR Artavis Scott (68 receptions, 851 yards and 7 TDs), and WR Mike Williams (48 catches, 918 yards and 5 TDs), among others. The Sooners have RB Samaje Perine (1,579 rushing yards and 21 TDs, along with 200+ rushing yards in 3 games, including his FBS-record 427 yards against Kansas) and WR Sterling Shepard (50 catches, 957 yards and 5 TDs), among others.

1. Deshaun Watson Will Not Play

1. Deshaun Watson Will Not Play

The electric freshman suffered an LCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee against Ga. Tech. He then partially tore his ACL in that same knee prior to the game against South Carolina, but he wore a brace and played against the Gamecocks. He was expected to play in the bowl game, but he will reportedly now have surgery on Friday, most likely to get a head start on the expected 6-9 month recovery time. Senior Cole Stoudt will now start.

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Clemson Tigers

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Oklahoma Sooners

Justin Patrick is a writer for RantSports.

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