LSU and Clemson are two college football programs with a lot in common.
The two schools share the Tigers nickname, had a sniff at the BCS this year after going 10-2 and the have a unit that was top-ranked statistically in the FBS. Clemson has been one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the nation and will match up against LSU's highly ranked defense as the two team's battle at the Georgia Dome in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday.
The matchup of the two teams should be one of the most interesting games of the bowl season as each school looks to finish 2012 on a high note. The last time the two teams played was in 1996 in the same bowl game, which was named the Peach Bowl, and saw LSU win 10-7.
Clemson is hoping this year's bowl game ends up more competitive than last season. The Tigers won the ACC last year and played in the BCS, but was blown out by West Virginia 70-33 in the Orange Bowl.
Head coach Dabo Sweeny knows how skilled the LSU defense is and is ready for the challenge.
"Our coaches, our players and our fans always look forward to playing against the best programs in the nation, and LSU certainly fits that description," Swinney said. "We are going to have the opportunity to compete against a top 10 team that played for it all last year."
The Clemson offense has been high-powered all season behind quarterback Tahj Boyd and is scoring 42.3 points per game, ranked sixth in the nation. The Tigers average over 500 total yards per game and is ranked 13th in passing with 319 yards per game.
"He's a very talented quarterback with a real strong arm," LSU head coach Miles said. "He has the ability to move his feet and run and extend plays."
Boyd has been the most impressive player on offense for the Tigers, throwing for 3,550 yards and 34 touchdowns with a passer rating of 168.5. The junior is tied with Philip Rivers for the most scoring passes in a single season in ACC history and has added 492 rushing yards and a team-high nine touchdowns.
"Their offense speaks to Boyd," said Miles, who received a pay raise and contract extension through 2019 at the end of November. "It does the things that he does well and gets the most out of his talent. You don't affect great players, you just try to contain them."
The Tigers started off the season with three straight wins, including an opening day 26-19 victory over Auburn at the Georgia Dome. The team lost its fourth game 49-37 against Florida State to fall to 3-1, but then went on to win seven straight games before losing 27-17 at home in the regular-season finale against South Carolina.
"We started the season in Atlanta versus the Tigers," Swinney said. "And now we have an opportunity to finish it in Atlanta against the Tigers."
The team has stars at every offensive position, with running back Andre Ellington and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins giving Boyd numerous weapons to choose from.
Ellington ranked second in the ACC after rushing for 1,031 yards and eight touchdowns, while Hopkins made 69 receptions for 1,214 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. The junior receiver has scored six touchdowns over the past four games and has had at least one score in nine straight contests.
Clemson is looking to win 11 games for the first time since the 1981 national championship team went 12-0, but faces off against a top defense in LSU.
The Tigers are ranked 11th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 16.9 points per game and is allowing just 297 total yards per contest. The secondary is one of the best in the nation and is led by safety Eric Reid, who has two interceptions on the year. Linebacker Kevin Minter will be on the lookout for Ellington all night and led the LSU defense in tackles with 111, as well as 13.5 for loss.
"Their defense is as good as it gets," Swinney said. "Their defense is built for championships. Their front four is as good as any I've seen. They have great cover guys they can match up with you. It will be a very competitive matchup for sure."
The LSU offense struggled at times early in the season, but played much better down the stretch, averaging close to 30 points and 400 yards in its final four games. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has thrown for 2,489 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and only had two interceptions over the final five games.
Running back Jeremy Hill leads the team with 631 yards and 10 touchdowns and scored three times in the Tigers' victory over Ole Miss on Nov. 17. The freshman is averaging 93.3 yards to go with eight touchdowns over the last six games and had a season-high 127 rushing yards in a 24-19 victory over Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M on Oct. 20.
LSU entered 2012 with lofty expectations after making it to the national championship game last season, but stumbled against Florida in a 14-6 loss on Oct. 6 after winning its first five games. The Tigers rebounded to win their next two game against ranked opponents in South Carolina and Texas A&M, but lost the following week against No. 1-ranked Alabama 21-17.
The Tigers enter the bowl game on a hot streak after finishing the year with three straight wins, including a 20-13 victory on the road against Arkansas in the regular-season finale. The defense has been the strength of the team this season and has allowed more than 22 points just once, in a 41-35 victory against Ole Miss on Nov. 17.
The defense will have to be at its best to slow down Boyd and Clemson, but if any coach can do it, it's the Mad Hatter in Miles.
The Tigers have played in the Georgia Dome numerous times and have gone 9-1 at the stadium along with a 5-0 record in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, according to the Associated Press.
PREDICTION: LSU 35, Clemson 28. The Tigers (LSU that is) has the defense to stop Clemson and will get enough production from Mettenberger and the offense to stay ahead of the Tigers (Clemson that is). LSU has played a tougher schedule in the SEC and has the upper hand after winning three straight to finish the season, while Clemson ended with a loss. Hopkins and Ellington give Clemson game-changers on offense, but LSU should be able to contain them long enough to get the victory.
