Ohio State, Clemson to meet in Orange Bowl

12/8/2013

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will play Clemson in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

It is the seventh-ranked Buckeyes’ second appearance in the Orange Bowl — they beat Colorado 27-10 in 1977 — and their second all-time meeting with Clemson. Their first one featured the fateful final act of Woody Hayes’ legendary career when the OSU coach slugged Tigers linebacker Charlie Bauman at the end of the 1978 Gator Bowl.

OSU, which had its 24-game winning streak and national title hopes end with a 34-24 loss to Michigan State in Saturday night's Big Ten championship, will see a lot of themselves in No. 12 Clemson (10-2).

The Tigers have the same trifecta of a prolific offense, shaky defense, and scrutinized resume. While All-American senior quarterback Tajh Boyd (3,473 passing yards, 29 touchdowns) and the Tigers’ offense piles up big numbers, they have only one win over a currently ranked team — a 38-35 home victory over No. 23 Georgia the opening week of the season. Clemson was thumped 51-14 by top-ranked Florida State and 31-17 by No. 8 South Carolina.