West Virginia vs Clemson 2012 Orange Bowl Predictions

For the first time in 22 years, the (9-3) West Virginia Mountaineers and the (10-3) Clemson Tigers will meet between the lines and his time, it’ll be for the 2012 Orange Bowl title. You better be ready to see some crooked numbers on the scoreboard tonight, as two of the most prolific offenses in college football will meet at Sun Life Stadium at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.

It’s worth noting that 2012 Orange Bowl Predictions specialists believe that Clemson [-3] will defeat the Mountaineers [+3] by at least a field goal. Furthermore, the OVER/UNDER between West Virginia and Clemson is currently set at a high combined total of 61½ points.

For the 14^th ranked Tigers, this team has the ability to hit the homerun at any time offensively. This season, Clemson scored 50 touchdowns and tallied 441 total yards per game, which included 285 through the air and 156 on the ground.

“I’d be surprised if there’s not some points scored in this one,” said Tigers head coach coach Dabo Swinney. “I don’t think it’ll be a 6-3 ball game, you know, like maybe some of the other games around. This one should be an exciting game for fans.”

Led by 21-year-old sophomore quarterback Tajh Boyd, the Tigers set school records this season for passing yards, total yards and scoring. Thus, Clemson earned an unexpected ACC title and captured the school’s first 10-game winning season in 21 years. The Tigers’ only blemish is their defense, which allowed: 38 touchdowns and a whopping 379.4 total yards per game, which includes 202.9 passing yards and 176.5 rushing yards per contest.

“You get a sense of complacency if you let the outside world affect you,” Boyd said. “That is one of the life lessons you learn. That’s what happened. But it happened for a reason.”

For the 23^rd ranked Mountaineers, this team also hangs its hat on the offensive side of the football. If you love to see two teams with big-play ability this is the game to watch. Much like their counterparts, WVU’s passing attack is among the best in the country (ranked 7th), which also helped them tie for 17^th place in total offense in the entire country. But that’s not all this team can do, as it ranked 19^th in the nation in scoring.

The Mountaineers also have one of the best young signal-callers in the country, as 21-year-old junior, Geno Smith is coming off a record-breaking season. Setting the single-season school records for pass completions (291), pass attempts (448) and yards (3,741), Smith crushed the previous records held by Marc Bulger.

“They’re two tremendous quarterbacks who both have the ability to keep a play alive,” Swinney added. “They’re just going to continue to get better because they’re still relatively young.”

Who do you think is going to win this wild affair in South Florida? Check out the following Free 2012 Orange Football Predictions for this game, as well as some interesting Against The Spread Trends below!

West Virginia ATS Trends:

• Mountaineers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games.
• Mountaineers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog of 0.5-3.0.
• Mountaineers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
• Mountaineers are 11-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Mountaineers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in January.
• Mountaineers are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 vs. ACC.
• Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
• Mountaineers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
• Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
• Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Bowl games.

Clemson Tigers ATS Trends:

• Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
• Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win.
• Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Tigers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
• Tigers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0.
• Tigers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games in January.
• Tigers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
• Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
• Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 bowl games.
• Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games as a favorite.
• Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Bowl games.
• Tigers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Bowl games as a favorite.
• Tigers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big East.