Clemson to meet LSU in Chick-fil-A Bowl

CLEMSON – Clemson will face Louisiana State in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, according to multiple reports – and a Twitter posting from the LSU punter.

It will be a compelling matchup of contrasting styles. No. 9 LSU (10-2) ranks eighth in the nation in defense, allowing 296.2 yards per game, whereas No. 14 Clemson (10-2) ranks ninth in total offense, averaging 518 yards per game.

The bowl game is also critical to the perception of Clemson.

Some will view Clemson’s double-digit win regular season as fraudulent, as the product of a weak schedule, unless Clemson is able to defeat its first ranked team of the season in LSU. Clemson has played two ranked teams – Florida State and South Carolina – and lost to both in competitive games.

The game will be the middle of three against Southeastern Conference opponents as Clemson closed the regular season against South Carolina and opens up its season next year against Georgia.

LSU will present Clemson with a physical test not unlike South Carolina as the LSU defense is loaded with physical talents including talented defensive end Sam Montgomery (7 sacks)and end/outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (5.5 sacks).