Gator Bowl Head to Head

Quarterback

If Nebraska QB Joe Ganz played in any other conference besides the Big 12, he would be a national name. However, in the Big 12 Ganz is barely an afterthought. Ganz threw for 3,332 yards and 23 TDs and holds just about every major single-season passing mark at Nebraska. He would have easily been the best QB in the ACC this season. Clemson's Cullen Harper, the ACC's preseason offensive player of the year, had a slow start, but finished with 2,395 passing yards, but had more INTs (12) than TDs (11).

Running Back

This will be the last game for 'Thunder and Lightening' (aka James Davis and C.J. Spiller). Davis needs 112 yards to become Clemson's all-time leading rusher. As the Tigers offensive line has improved Spiller and Davis have been able to recapture some of their 'Thunder and Lightening' magic. Nebraska's Roy Helu, Jr., and Marlon Lucky (1,321 yds., and 14 TDs) are an underrated duo and have actually combined for just as many rushing yards as 'Thunder and Lightening' (1,337 yds., 18 TDs) this season.

Offensive Line

Clemson's offensive line has suffered through a slew of injuries and lineup changes for most of the season. Tigers have used seven different starting combinations on the offensive line. It wasn't until the Boston College game that the Tigers finally settled on a starting five. Nebraska has the 12th-ranked offense in the country for a reason. A big, physical offensive line that is anchored by All-Big 12 guard Matt Slauson. The Cornhuskers start two seniors and a junior.

Wide Receiver

Both teams feature the most productive wide receivers in school history. For Clemson it's Aaron Kelly, who will finish his career as the ACC's all-time leading receiver. Jacoby Ford has six career TDs of more than 50 yards. Throw in the reliable Tyler Grisham, who has 131 career receptions, and the Tigers have plenty of weapons. Nebraska's Nate Swift (163 receptions) and Todd Peterson (104 receptions) have 267 career catches between them. Swift needs 36 receiving yards to become the school's all-time leader in that category.

Defensive Line

The strength of the Cornhuskers "Black Shirt" defense comes along their defensive front. Nebraska is giving up 115 yards less a game this season as a direct result of their defensive line. The Cornhuskers defensive line accounted for 23 1/2 sacks and 54 tackles for loss. DE Zach Potter and DT Ty Steinkuhler were honorable mention All-Big 12. Clemson's DT Dorrell Scott appears to fully healthy again, but the Tigers lost their best pass rush specialist in Ricky Sapp, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Virginia.

Linebacker

Neither team boasts a linebacking corps that would keep an offensive coordinator up at night. Nebraska's best is junior LB Phillip Dillard, who missed the last four games with an injury, but is expected to be back at full strength against the Tigers today. Clemson junior WLB Kavell Conner has been a pleasant surprise and leads the Tigers with 114 tackles. The Tigers future star will be freshman MLB Brandon Maye, who had 83 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks this season.

Defensive Back

The Cornhuskers passing defense was dismal this season, ranking 90th in passing yards and 89th in passing efficiency. Some of that was because they played in the pass happy Big 12. S Larry Sante, a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 performer, is the best of the bunch. The Tigers secondary is the strength of their defense and is a major reason they were ranked 10th in passing defense and 9th in passing efficiency defense. Michael Hamlin will go down as one of the best in school history.

Special Teams

The Cornhuskers have plenty of playmakers in their special teams. PK Alex Henry is one of the most accurate kickers in the country, connecting on 22 of 25 career field goals attempts. He nailed a 57-yard FG late in the fourth quarter against Colorado. WRs Niles Paul and Nate Swift are dangerous kick returners. Clemson features two of the most dynamic kick returners in the country in RB C.J. Spiller and WR Jacoby Ford. Spiller was 10th in the country in kickoff returns, averaging 27.9 yards a return.

PK Mark Buchholz was 15 of 20 on FG attempts.

Advantage: Clemson.