Clemson/Oklahoma Meet In CFP Semifinal – Game Preview

The College Football Playoff begins on Thursday with semifinal action, as the top-ranked Clemson Tigers meet the 4th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Kickoff time is scheduled for 3 pm (central time) at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.

The winner will face the Alabama/Michigan St. winner in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, scheduled for January 11 in Glendale, Arizona.

Clemson, champions of the ACC, is unbeaten, at 13-0.

Offensively, Clemson is averaging 38.5 points, 510.6 total yards, 222.2 rushing yards, and 288.5 passing yards per game, while allowing 20.2 points, 295.7 total yards, 128.8 rushing yards, and 166.9 passing yards a contest, defensively.

The Tigers are led by sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has passed for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns, while rushing for another 887 yards and 11 scores this season.

Oklahoma, champions of the Big XII, will enter the match-up with a record of 11-1, with their only loss coming to the Texas Longhorns, 24-17, back on October 10.

The Sooners are averaging 45.8 points per game, along with 542.9 yards, including 307.9 passing yards and 235.0 rushing yards, while allowing 20.8 points, 350.7 total yards, including 201.5 passing yards and 149.2 rushing yards.

Oklahoma is paced by junior quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has thrown for 3,389 yards and 35 touchdowns, while rushing for another 420 yards and 7 scores.

The all-time series between the two schools is tied, 2-2, but Clemson has won the last two meetings, including a 40-6 win over Oklahoma in last year's Russell Athletic Bowl.