ESPN Gameday picks for 2015 Orange Bowl

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson greets a fan as he arrives for the Orange Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Oklahoma, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Tigers have faced tempo teams this season, including North Carolina.

The two may be the nation’s best at avoiding a pass rush and extending plays. The winners will meet in the national championship game on January 11.

Both teams have incredible quarterbacks who are athletes capable of extending plays with their legs.

Penalties haven’t been a big issue for either team this season.

As a team, the Sooners had the 3rd most potent attack in the country, 45.8 points per game, paired with an 18th ranked defense which surrendered 20.8 per contest.

Clemson and Oklahoma will square off in the postseason for the second consecutive season.

Lawson was injured during the first quarter and initially returned to the game before sitting back down. He has 100 yards rushing in four of the past five. The Tigers are 11th and 16th, respectively. The Sooners overall 28-19-1 bowl record (.594 winning percentage) is the fourth best among FBS schools that have appeared in at least 40 bowl games.

Clemson can draw on lots of bowl experience, with a postseason victory each of the past three seasons. It is this consistency that will allow them to beat Oklahoma in what should be a close matchup. It’s the first time in 2015 the Tigers have not been favored, which speaks to how well Oklahoma has been playing since losing to Texas.

Clemson’s Shaq Lawson is limping a bit, but still making plays for the Tigers.

The Clemson offense lost one member of the squad, after it was announced that three Tiger players have been suspended for the Orange Bowl, reportedly for failing drug tests.

Lawson wasn’t on the field for most of Oklahoma’s first drive, when the Sooners scored for a 7-0 lead. Michigan State -10. Under on the point total. Two big third-down conversions fueled the drive: a 17-yard run by Perine, and a 10-yard completion from Mayfield to Dede Westbrook.

Clemson still doesn’t quite seem to get the respect they feel they deserve, as evidenced by the odds on this game. Each have reeled off touchdowns of longer than 65 yards and can strike at any time.

College football’s premier event begins on New Year’s Eve.