Chick-fil-A Bowl: Auburn vs. Clemson

Analysis
The ACC-SEC match-up in the Chick-fil-A Bowl usually provides for one of the better bowl games each year and the Clemson-Auburn tussle should be no different. Both of these teams were within reach of playing for their conference title and a win here would get the momentum rolling for 2008.

Points could be tough to come by in this match-up, as both teams rank in the top 10 in scoring defense. Clemson has allowed only three opponents to score more than 20 points this season and Auburn has allowed only four to reach that threshold.

Clemson is a well-balanced offense, led by quarterback Cullen Harper and the one-two punch of running backs C.J. Spiller and James Davis. Spiller and Davis haven’t matched their rushing numbers from last season, but they will give the Auburn front seven all they can handle. Harper threw only six picks on the year and he will test an Auburn secondary that has allowed only 11 touchdown passes on the season.

Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox has endured a roller coaster career, but a victory in this game would help solidify his place in school history. The senior quarterback isn’t spectacular, but he’s managed the game well and has only five interceptions in his last six games. Auburn won’t ask Cox to win the game – just don’t lose it. Expect the ground game to be critical for Auburn’s offensive success, as Brad Lester and Ben Tate will need to keep the chains moving. Lester and Tate combined for over 1,300 rushing yards this season – but Clemson has allowed only three players to go over 100 yards.

At the end of this game, it’s safe to say, the Tigers will pull out a victory.

Breakdown: Clemson
Campus Location: Clemson, S.C.
Distance to Atlanta: 124 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 15–14
2007 Season: 9–3, 5–3 ACC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 50 (159)
Pass Offense: 41 (254)
Scoring Offense: 23 (34)
Rush Defense: 20 (112)
Pass Defense: 13 (185)
Scoring Defense: 10 (18)
Turnover Margin: 9 (1.00)

Additional Notes:
A victory over Auburn would give the Tigers their first 10-win season for the first time since 1990 … The Tigers own a 2-4 all-time record in the Chick-fil-A Bowl … Running back James Davis, wide receiver Aaron Kelly, offensive guard Chris McDuffie and offensive tackle Barry Richardson were all picked for the All-ACC team this year … Quarterback Cullen Harper boasts a 146.9 passing efficiency rating this season, which is the third-best in Clemson history.

Breakdown: Auburn
Campus Location: Auburn, Ala.
Distance to Atlanta: 108 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 18–13–2
2007 Season: 8–4, 5–3 SEC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 56 (154)
Pass Offense: 107 (174)
Scoring Offense: 82 (24)
Rush Defense: 27 (119)
Pass Defense: 6 (179)
Scoring Defense: 6 (17)
Turnover Margin: 47 (0.08)

Additional Notes:
Auburn has won four out of their last five bowl games … This will be Auburn’s first appearance in this bowl game since 2001, when they lost 16-10 to North Carolina … In the all-time series against Clemson, Auburn has dominated with a 32-11-2 record … Auburn led the SEC in scoring defense and finished second in total defense … Head coach Tommy Tuberville is 4-3 in bowl games at Auburn.

Prediction: Clemson by 3