Orange Bowl 2014 LIVE Radio Broadcast: Boyd Leads Clemson's Pass Attack Against Buckeyes' Run Game
ByThe Clemson Tigers (12) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (7) are both teams that know how to put up big offensive numbers, but do so in entirely different ways, making for an intriguing Orange Bowl matchup.
Ohio State's defense is not quite as strong as its 20.3 points per game might suggest due to vulnerability through the air. Quarterback Tajh Boyd and the 11th-ranked Clemson passing offense will be sure to try and exploit that.
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Clemson's defense, on the other hand, is going to have to put up with Ohio State's lethal running attack. Quarterback Braxton Miller had 153 rushing attempts this year, just 30 less than team leader, running back Carlos Hyde. Miller ran for 1,033 yards, averaged 6.8 yards per carry and scored 10 times on the ground. Hyde ran for 1,408, averaging 7.7 yards a carry and scored 14 times.
The Buckeyes averaged 317.5 rushing yards per game, third best in the country and also not far off of Clemson's average 329.3 passing yards per game. Both teams have equal defenses in terms of points allowed, but that may not matter with kind of offensive talent both posses.
"I've been watching Tajh Boyd play for many years now and I think he's transitioned from a good player to a great player," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told reporters, according to ESPN. "He's a dynamic thrower. And as with most excellent quarterbacks, his surrounding cast might be the best in America."
Both teams had their sights set on a BCS title bid before the season and early on. Boyd, placed on the preseason Heisman watch, and the Tigers ranked third in the national standings before their loss to Florida State (1). Thanks to Alabama's Iron Bowl loss to Auburn (2), the Buckeyes moved into the second slot nationally, only to lose to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship.
"Miller and Hyde are as good a combination of quarterback and running back as there is," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables told the school's website. "They have power and speed.
"This will be our greatest challenge physically this year."