The Cheez-It Bowl kicks off Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
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For 10 consecutive seasons, Clemson has won at least 10 games for an average of 12.1 wins each year. The Tigers have a chance to play 11 seasons with a win over Iowa State at the Cheez-It Bowl.
When is Clemson’s ball game?
Which: Clemson (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5)
Or: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
When: 5:45 p.m. Wednesday
TV: ESPN
Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson affiliate radios here)
Satellite: Sirius 84, XM 84, Internet / application 84
History of the series: Clemson and Iowa State have never faced each other. However, the Tigers are 6-7 against teams in the Big 12 Conference.
Vegas odds: points gap between Clemson and Iowa State
Clemson is a 1½ point favorite over Iowa State.
Clemson Bowl Game Prediction
Clemson has a 52.2% chance of winning the game, according to the ESPN Football Power Index.
Orlando weather Wednesday
Sunny, with a few clouds in the afternoon. Day high 84. Greater than 70 at kick-off, less than 70 at the end of the match.
What was the Cheez-It Bowl called?
The Cheez-It Bowl was first held in Miami in 1990 as the Blockbuster Bowl. The game moved to Orlando in 2001. It has gone through a number of sponsorship changes over the years including Carquest, Tangerine, Champs Sports, Russell Athletic and, more recently, Camping world.
Clemson has played this boules game three times, all under different sponsor names. They beat Oklahoma 40-6 in the Russell Athletic Bowl to finish 10-3 in the 2014 season.
The Cheez-It Bowl teams, in numbers
|
Clemson |
State of Iowa |
|
|
Points / game |
26.8 |
32.83 |
|
Opp. points / game |
15 |
20.58 |
|
Rush / game course |
171.3 |
168.6 |
|
Opp. rushing yards / game |
98.8 |
122.3 |
|
passing yards / play |
191.5 |
268.83 |
|
Opp. passing yards / play |
209.6 |
187.83 |
|
yards / set |
362.8 |
437.4 |
|
Opp. yards / set |
308.4 |
310.1 |
THREE IOWA STATE CYCLONES TO WATCH FOR
Brock Purdy, QB: The Cyclones are a team filled with veterans, including Brock Purdy. In his fourth season as the team’s signalman, he threw for 2,984 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 73.1% of his passes.
Will McDonald, DL: Will McDonald was a key part of the Cyclones’ defensive effort, leading the team in the quarterback with a school record of 11½, to accompany 32 tackles, 14 for loss.
Charlie Kolar, TE: As the second-best receiver, Charlie Kolar made 58 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns.
THREE CLEMSON TIGERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
DJ Uiagalelei, QB: The sophomore played injured in the later stages of the regular season and finished with 2,059 passing yards and 296 rushing yards. Having nearly a month off to heal will do good for the quarterback, who has been making positive strides in his growth throughout the season.
Mario Goodrich, CB: Before playing in Reese’s Senior Bowl, Mario Goodrich will have one last game with the Tigers to complete a season where he totaled 47 tackles, seven broken assists and one interception.
James Skalski, LB: With absolutely no more eligibility left, the Cheez-It Bowl will officially be the last game of James Skalski’s career for Clemson. He finished a six-year career with a team record of 97 tackles, 4½ in losses and 2½ sacks in the regular season.
Clemson Depth Map
(as it appears in the play notes)
Offense
QB: DJ Uiagalelei (Hunter Helms)
RB: Kobe Pace or Will Shipley (Phil Mafah)
WR: Joseph Ngata or Dacari Collins
WR: Beaux Collins (Will Swinney)
WR: EJ Williams (Will Brown)
TE: Davis Allen (Sage Ennis or Jake Briningstool)
LT: Jordan McFadden (Marcus Tate)
LG: Hunter Rayburn (Marcus Tate)
C: Mason Trotter (Trent Howard)
RG: Will Putnam (Mason Trotter)
RT: Walker Parks (Mitchell Mayes)
Defense
FROM: Myles Murphy or KJ Henry
DT: Ruke Orhorhoro (Payton Page)
DT: Tyler Davis (Etinosa Reuben)
FROM: Justin Mascoll or Xavier Thomas
SLB: Trenton Simpson or Malcolm Greene (Tyler Venables or Barrett Carter)
MLB: James Skalski
WLB: LaVonta Bentley (Keith Maguire or Jeremiah Trotter, Jr.)
CB: Mario Goodrich (Fred Davis or Nate Wiggins)
SS: Andrew Mukuba (RJ Mickens)
FS: Nolan Turner (Jalyn Phillips)
DC: Andrew Booth (Sheridan Jones)
Special teams:
PK: BT Potter (Jonathan Weitz)
P: Will Spiers (Aidan Swanson)
KO: BT Potter (Aidan Swanson)
LS (PK, P): Jack Maddox (Holden Caspersen)
H: Will Swinney (Drew Swinney)
PR: Will Brown
KOR: Will Shipley
This story was originally published December 28, 2021 6:00 a.m.
