West Virginia vs. Clemson: Latest Spread Info, Line and More for Orange Bowl
The No. 15 Clemson Tigers and No. 23 West Virginia Mountaineers will battle in one of the last remaining bowl games of the season in the Discover Orange Bowl.
This game is just days away from the BCS National Championship Game, and a contest that will no doubt be scant of touchdowns. Well, you don't have to worry about such things here.
The Orange Bowl features two high-powered offenses that will delight even the most cynical football fan. Let's delve deeper into what will be one of the more entertaining games this season.
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami
When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m. EST
Watch: ESPN/ESPN3
Betting Line: Clemson -3 (according to Betonline.com)
Key Storyline: This is the second-to-last BCS bowl game before the national championship, and the last chance for college football fans to be entertained. This game promises to be a shootout that fans will have to savor. The sad fact is another bore takes place right after in the BCS title game between Alabama and LSU.
Who Might Not Play for West Virginia: via The Columbus Dispatch
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Questionable: Concussion stemming from car accident on Dec. 27
Vernard Roberts, RB, Out: Declared academically ineligible
Who Might Not Play for Clemson: via The Columbus Dispatch
Julian Miller, DL, Questionable: Ankle injury in Week 14 against South Florida
Joshua Taylor, DL, Doubtful: Did not play in Week 14 against South Florida because of a knee injury
What it Means for West Virginia: West Virginia must be pinching themselves as it looked to be dead in the water after a horrible loss to Louisville. It closed out the season with three gritty wins and now has a chance at tremendous glory.
What it Means for Clemson: This is a momentous occasion for Clemson, which enters its first BCS bowl game after winning its first ACC title since 1991 and first 10-win season since 1990.
What They're Saying:
The Miami Herald explains that West Virginia may have more of a hometown advantage than you would think: "But the team with the real hometown connection? That would be co-Big East champion West Virginia, which has 19 Floridians on its roster (Clemson has 10), including nine who played at Miami-Dade or Broward County high schools."
The Sun-Sentinel breaks down the finer points of what could be an epic Orange Bowl: "To help us all look smarter than we are, we asked a couple of experts to provide talking points that can be used while you're waiting in line at the Cheesecake Factory with a WVU Mountaineer or a Clemson Tiger."
West Virginia Player to Watch: This game is all about the quarterbacks, and West Virgina has one of the most accomplished ones in Geno Smith. The Mountaineers star is nearing 4,000 yards on the season.
Clemson Player to Watch: Tajh Boyd is the unsung hero that keeps Clemson's machine going. The phenom quarterback has passed for more than 3,500 yards and connected on 31 touchdowns.
Key Matchup: West Virginia is far more one-dimensional in its attack. Clemson will have to find a way to stop Geno Smith and his many weapons if it's going to win.
Prediction: Clemson 36, West Virginia 34
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