By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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Clemson will be looking for its third straight bowl win when it takes on Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

In a season that began with two disappointing losses, Clemson fought through adversity to finish strong.

The Tigers enter Monday’s Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando against Oklahoma (8-4) having won eight of their last nine games x94 including a 35-17 victory over archrival South Carolina to end a five-game losing streak in the series. A win over the Sooners would give them four consecutive 10-win seasons, a feat only accomplished once before in program history (1987-1990).

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Unfortunately for Clemson, it’ll be without playmaking quarterback Deshaun Watson, who had surgery in early December to repair a torn ACL he suffered back in November. The true freshman sensation jump-started a stagnant offense x94 going 4-1 as a starter. In his first career start, Watson completed 27 of 36 passes for 435 yards and six touchdowns against North Carolina, becoming the fifth ACC player ever to throw for six scores in a game and the first freshman to accomplish this feat. His last start saw Watson throw for 269 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for two scores in the season finale against the Gamecocks.

While the offense struggled considerably with Cole Stoudt under center, the senior and the Tigers managed to grind out four close wins in the midst of a six-game winning span.

Stoudt passed for 1,573 yards and six touchdowns this season against 10 interceptions, completing 62 percent of his attempts.

Clemson has plenty of weapons as it faces an Oklahoma pass defense that ranks among the worst in college football (115th). Freshman receiver Artavis Scott leads the team with 68 catches for 851 yards and a team-best seven scores, opposite Mike Williams, who had 48 receptions for a team-high 918 yards and five scores.

The Tigers will be without former offensive coordinator Chad Morris, who recently became head coach at SMU. Coach Dabo Swinney named Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott co-offensive coordinators.

As far as defenses go, none may be better than Clemsons. The Tigers lead the nation in seven different categories, including total defense (259.6 yards), and rank in the top five in 20 categories, including third against the pass (161.9) and seventh against the run (97.7). Leading the way is defensive end Vic Beasley, who ranks first in the ACC in sacks (11) and total tackles for loss (18.5). He is Clemsons and the countrys current leader in career sacks with 32.

In only the fourth meeting all-time between the two programs, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables goes head-to-head against his former team. Venables spent 13 years (1999-2011) in Norman in the same capacity under coach Bob Stoops. The two also served three years (1993-1995) together under Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

The Sooners boast the nations No. 8 rushing offense, averaging nearly 270 yards per game and are led by freshman sensation Samaje Perine. He ranks eighth in the country with 1,579 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Perine set an FBS record for most rushing in a single game with 427 against Kansas.

The Tigers are seeking their third straight bowl victory, after defeating LSU in 2012 (Chick-fil-A Bowl) and Ohio State (Orange Bowl) last year.

Clemson vs. Oklahoma series (OU leads 2-1)

1963: Oklahoma 31, Clemson 14

1972: Oklahoma 52, Clemson 3

1989*: Clemson 13, Oklahoma 6

*Bowl game; Citrus Bowl game in Orlando