Entering bowl season, we thought we might not get a more entertaining BCS game than the one between Ohio State and Clemson. Two teams with potent offenses. A matchup of preseason Heisman favorites in Braxton Miller and Tajh Boyd. Plenty of exciting skill position players.
2014 Orange Bowl: Streaming, TV schedule, preview for Clemson vs. Ohio State
Here’s what you need to know to watch the game between the Tigers and Buckeyes.
Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers and Buckeyes both average more than 40 points per game, though the routes they take to get there are different. Ohio State relies on its outstanding rushing attack, which is putting up well over 300 yards per game. It helps to have a QB like Miller, who is a tremendous runner, not to mention running back Carlos Hyde, who finished the year on a tear.
Clemson probably will rely more heavily on the passing game, and with weapons like Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant, that's understandable. The Tigers are averaging 329.2 passing yards per contest.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Clemson comes in at 10-2 (7-1 ACC), ranked 12th in the AP Poll and 11th in the Coaches’ Poll. Ohio State is 12-1 (8-1 Big Ten), ranked seventh in the AP Poll and sixth in the Coaches’ Poll.
Vegas: Ohio State opened as a four-point favorite. The over/under opened at 67.5.
Weather: Chance of a shower with a high of 78 and a low of 63.
More from our team sites
Three names to know
Tajh Boyd -- Boyd ended up a Heisman afterthought, but that doesn’t mean he had a bad season. He threw for 3,473 yards while averaging 9.3 yards per attempt, and he connected on 29 touchdown passes.
Braxton Miller -- For the second straight year, Miller has more than 1,000 yards rushing, and he should surpass 2,000 yards passing in this game. He has accounted for 32 touchdowns this season -- 22 of them through the air. He improved as a passer, setting career marks in several different categories.
Carlos Hyde -- Despite missing the first three games of the season, Hyde still ran for more than 1,400 yards; he went for nearly 250 in two of Ohio State’s last four contests. Not even Michigan State’s fantastic defense could keep him under control.
Two things at stake
The disappointment from the Big Ten title game loss may linger for Ohio State, but a win would put a triumphant cap on what was still a fine season. This is just the second appearance in the Orange Bowl for the Buckeyes, whose last trip came in 1977 (a 27-10 victory over Colorado).
Clemson has some Orange Bowl demons to exorcise, because the last time the Tigers were here, uh, things didn’t go well. (Sorry for bringing that up, Tigers fans.)
How to witness
TV: ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
Further reading
For more in-depth coverage, head over to Buckeyes blog Land-Grant Holy Land and Clemson blog Shakin’ the Southland.
More from SB Nation college football:
See More:
