All-America defensive end Vic Beasley has 11 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss for Clemson. (Getty)
Anytime a team loses offensive stars like Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd, as Clemson did heading into the 2014 season, you can expect to take a step back.
And that’s exactly what happened to Clemson, which went from 40.2 points per game in 2013 to 30.1 this season.
Luckily for the Tigers, the defense stepped up in 2014. Led by All-America defensive end Vic Beasley, Clemson allowed just 17.6 ppg, good for 6th in the FBS. The Tigers (9-3, 6-2 ACC) pitched 2 shutouts and in 3 other games held their opponents to 7 points or less. Oh, they also happen to lead the nation in total defense, ceding just 259.6 yards per game.
The defense better be ready to play Monday in the Russell Athletic Bowl because their challenge, Oklahoma, can pile up the points.
Behind FBS single-game rushing record holder Samaje Perine, the Sooners (8-4, 5-4 Big 12) score 38.9 points per contest, 10th-most in the country.
Both teams were 0-3 when facing teams ranked in the Top 25.
The Basics
Who:
Oklahoma (8-4) vs. No. 17 Clemson (9-3), Russell Athletic Bowl
When:
Monday, 5:30 p.m. Eastern
Where:
Citrus Bowl – Orlando, Florida
TV Info:
Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (analysis), Jeannine Edwards (sidelines)
Line:
Oklahoma (-3.5). Line provided by bovada.lv
All-Time Series:
Oklahoma leads 2-1
Last Year’s Russell Athletic Bowl:
Louisville 36, Miami, Fla. 9
Heavy’s Pick
As mentioned above, this matchup is very intriguing. Clemson’s stifling defense vs. Oklahoma’s potent offense.
But it’s not as if the Tigers can’t score, because they can. They put up 30 points per game, but will be without freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson, who had season-ending knee surgery earlier this month. Clemson will turn to senior Cole Stoudt, who has struggled in the passing game. Expect running back Wayne Gallman to see an uptick in carries.
What Oklahoma does best is run the ball with Perine, he of the record-setting 427-yard game vs. Kansas last month (see the clip above for that gashing). As a team, the rushing offense ranks 8th in the FBS at 268.6 per game. Of some concern is Perine’s ankle, which he sprained in the regular-season finale. He’s expected to play.
Clemson’s defense ranks 7th in ground yards allowed. So something’s going to give here.
Don’t expect the Sooners to toss the ball around the field with quarterback Trevor Knight, who missed the final 3 games with an injury. He is also expected to play, but Clemson boasts a top 5 pass D.
It’s going to come down to these things: 1) Can Clemson stop Perine?, and 2) Can Clemson’s offense score with Stoudt under center?
Those answers are 1) Stop, no. Contain, yes. And 2) Just enough.
And that’ll be just enough for a Clemson W.
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Oklahoma vs. Clemson: Time, Channel, Line & Prediction