2011 December Madness, College Football Playoff: Clemson vs. Boise State

For the eighth consecutive season, Whatifsports.com is proud to present the ultimate college football playoff in a tournament we refer to as December Madness 2011.

Over the next three weeks, the top 16 college football teams (11 conference champions and five at-large programs based on BCS rating) will compete for the December Madness title.

Not one to mince words, Dabo Swinney is proud of his Clemson offense and excited about the team's bowl game against West Virginia.

The coach told the Associated Press: "I don't think it'll be a 6-3 ballgame, you know, like maybe some of the other games around. This one should be an exciting game for fans."

Taking shots at Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa. Wow!

Clemson rose to sixth in the polls after an 8-0 start, but a 14-point loss to Georgia Tech put the skids on any BCS title aspirations. The Tigers followed that up by losing two of their final three regular season games. Still, a 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference record was enough to sneak them into the conference title game, where they pounded Virginia Tech 38-10.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for 3,578 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sammy Watkins was one of the nation's best receivers, with 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Boise State will enjoy a two-season layover in the Mountain West Conference before it tackles a newly-renovated Big East come 2013 in a fun test of geographical logistics.

Broncos coach Chris Petersen unleashed a solid rant about his frustration with the current BCS system after his team was presented the gift of playing 6-6 Arizona State (which fired its head coach) in the Las Vegas Bowl three days before Christmas. That's what one loss in the Mountain West Conference will get you, even though the Broncos finished seventh in the BCS standings.

Quarterback Kellen Moore capped an incredible career by passing for 3,507 yards with 41 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Doug Martin led the ground attack with 1,148 yards and 15 TDs.

Game recap

A sack and then a fumble recovery handed the Tigers the early momentum.

Troy Ware made a spectacular catch for the Broncos but fumbled the ball to Clemson. The Tigers proceeded to travel 79 yards on five plays for the first score of the game (extra point blocked).

Up 9-0 in the second quarter, Boyd led his offense on a six-minute, 14-play drive. On second-and-goal from the Boise eight-yard line, Boyd hit Mike Bellamy in the end zone to extend the Tigers' cushion to 16 points.

The Broncos trailed by 20 as the third quarter rolled around, and that's when Petersen's team went to work. Thanks, in part, to two monster catches by Tyler Shoemaker, the Smurf-turf warriors marched down to the Tigers' 1, where Doug Martin finished off the 10-play drive.

Boise State still trailed by 13 points early in the fourth quarter. But, as we've learned, the Broncos' offense loves to rally late. The "Moore and Martin Show" was incredible to witness as the duo began to carve up Clemson via the pass and run. Martin took a sweep left 13 yards to the house to cut the Tigers' lead to six with five-and-a-half minutes remaining.

The Broncos' defense then forced a three-and-out and handed the ball back to their high-powered offense. With two minutes and change on the clock, Moore connected on a home run pass to Matt Miller, who was brought down at the Clemson 13-yard line. On the next play, Moore hit Martin on a screen pass. The running back showed a little athleticism and took it home for the go-ahead and, eventually, the game-winning touchdown.

The Broncos outscored Clemson 24-3 in the second half and advanced to the second round with a 27-26 victory.

Player of the game: Doug Martin (97 rush yards, two TD)

Winning Percentage of 1,001 Simulations: Boise State 67.3% - Clemson 32.7%

Utilizing our award-winning college football simulation engine, we "play" each matchup 1,001 times.

View the December Madness playoff bracket and complete boxscore here: http://www.whatifsports.com/decmadness/