Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Football •

5 Bold Predictions For Oklahoma vs. Clemson In Russell Athletic Bowl

+Read full article
Getty Images

5 Bold Predictions For Oklahoma vs. Clemson In The Russell Athletic Bowl

Oklahoma Sooners
Getty Images

While much of the college football postseason will be focused on offense, Dec. 29’s Russell Athletic Bowl figures to be more about defense for both Oklahoma and Clemson. The Tigers enter their meeting with the Sooners carrying the nation’s top overall defense while Oklahoma boasts a stout group of run stoppers, leading to an anticipated matchup between the two teams in Orlando. Here are five bold predictions for their showdown.

5. Both Teams Will Rely On the Passing Game

Cody Thomas
Getty Images

5. Both Teams Will Rely On the Passing Game

Cody Thomas
Getty Images

Oklahoma piled up 268.6 rushing yards per game during the regular season, while Clemson averaged 153 yards of offense on the ground. But the Tigers and Sooners surrender only 97.7 and 109.6 yards per game on the ground defensively, meaning both outfits will need their passing games to come through once the game gets started.

4. Vic Beasley Will Have At Least One Sack For Clemson

Vic Beasley
Getty Images

4. Vic Beasley Will Have At Least One Sack For Clemson

Vic Beasley
Getty Images

One of the nation’s best pass rushers, Beasley put up big-time numbers on defense for the Tigers during the regular season. The 6-foot-3 defensive end finished with 11 sacks to go along with 18.5 tackles for loss and figures to give Oklahoma’s offensive line fits throughout the afternoon.

3. Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal Will Be Focal Points For Oklahoma’s Offense

Sterling Shepard
Getty Images

3. Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal Will Be Focal Points For Oklahoma’s Offense

Sterling Shepard
Getty Images

With Clemson allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground defensively, Oklahoma will need a big performance from the passing game to down the Tigers. Enter wide receivers Shepard and Neal, who combined for 90 catches, 1,465 yards and eight scores during the regular season. Expect quarterback Cody Thomas to target Shepard and Neal early and often against the Tigers.

2. Artavis Scott and Mike Williams Will Lead Clemson's Aerial Attack

Mike Williams
Getty Images

2. Artavis Scott and Mike Williams Will Lead Clemson's Aerial Attack

Mike Williams
Getty Images

The talented duo combined for nearly 1,800 yards receiving and helped carry the Tigers’ offense throughout the regular season. Quarterback Cole Stoudt will therefore look for both against an Oklahoma defense that gives up 272.6 yards per game through the air.

1. Neither Team Will Score More Than 30 Points

Clemson Tigers
Getty Images

1. Neither Team Will Score More Than 30 Points

Clemson Tigers
Getty Images

While both offenses averaged more than 30 points per game during the regular season, neither has faced defenses as talented and physical as the ones they will see on Dec. 29. The result should be a hard-fought, low-scoring affair between the two sides in Orlando.

Matt Johnson is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
Your Favorites
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Football• Videos•

Watch Bama's Drake Bust Out For Kickoff Return TD

Clemson has been fighting tooth and nail all night long against Alabama in the National Championship game, but it looks like it may not be enough after Kenyan Drake ran this kickoff back. The touchdown gave the Crimson Tide a 38-27 lead with just over seven minutes remaining.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Football• Videos•

Watch Alabama Execute Perfect Onside Kick

The National Championship game has been much closer than people expected, which led Alabama head coach Nick Saban to call for this perfectly executed onside kick that gave his Crimson Tide the go-ahead touchdown. It couldn't have been done any better.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Football• Videos•

Watch Alabama's Robinson Flatten Defender

The National Championship game entered halftime knotted at 14. During the first half of play, Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson struggled against Shaq Lawson, but he took his frustrations out on safety T.J. Greene.

Comment 0 Comments