2012 Orange Bowl Spread
Another one of the BCS bowls takes place in Miami and features the champions of the Big East Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Though the conference are geographically close to each other, the two league champs this year will be meeting for the first time in more than two decades, when West Virginia takes on Clemson.
The last time these two teams met was in the Gator Bowl following the 1989 season, with Clemson pulling off a 27-7 victory in Jacksonville.
The latest college football odds list Clemson as a 3.5-point favorite, while the total has been set at 60 points.
West Virginia
The Mountaineers won their final three games to earn a three-way share of the Big East title (5-2), earning the league’s automatic BCS bid into this game thanks to having the highest ranking in the BCS standings (No. 23). Their last three wins have come by a total of seven points. West Virginia was a solid 4-1 away from home, winning the last three such games.
West Virginia ranks 19th nationally in points scored (35 points per game) while recording 460 yards per game (342 passing, 118 rushing).
Geno Smith has completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards and 25 touchdowns with seven interceptions, with the offensive line allowing 26 sacks. Tavon Austin is the top receiving threat with 89 catches for 1,063 yards and four TDs, with Stedman Bailey recording 67 grabs for 1,197 yards and 11 scores. Dustin Garrison heads up the running game with 742 yards and six TDs on 5.5 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Mountaineers rank 63rd in points allowed (26 ppg) and give up 341 yards per game (200 passing, 141 rushing) while recording 28 sacks and forcing 19 turnovers – with three returned for TDs (Terence Garvin and Pat Miller, interceptions; Julian Miller, fumble).
Najee Goode leads this unit with 84 total tackles with Darwin Cook adding 81 stops. Bruce Irvin has 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, Keith Tandy has three interceptions and Julian Miller has three fumble recoveries.
Clemson
The Tigers roared to an 8-0 start, then lost three of four down the stretch before rallying in the ACC Championship Game, winning the BCS bid into this game with a 38-10 win over Virginia Tech – their second lopsided victory over the Hokies in 2011. Clemson is 3-3 away from home this year, losing three of the last four such games.
Offensively, Clemson ranks 27th in the country in scoring (34 ppg) while recording 441 yards per game (285 passing, 156 rushing).
Tajh Boyd completes 60 percent of his passes for 3,578 yards and 35 TDs with 10 INTs, while the offensive line has given up 30 sacks. Sammy Watkins leads the receiving corps with 77 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 TDs, while DeAndre Hopkins adds 62 grabs for 871 yards and four scores. Andre Ellington anchors the running game with 1,062 yards and 10 TDs on 5.0 yards per carry.
The Clemson defense ranks 62nd nationally in points allowed (26 ppg) and gives up 379 yards per game (203 passing, 176 rushing) while compiling 24 sacks and forcing 22 turnovers – two of which became TDs (Kourtnei Brown, interception and fumble).
Rashard Hall leads the unit with 81 total tackles and two fumble recoveries, while Andre Branch has 78 to go with 10.5 sacks. Jonathan Meeks has three interceptions and two recoveries and Stephone Anthony has two forced fumbles.
