Clemson to face Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Clemson (12-1, ACC) vs. Ohio State (11-1, Big Ten), Dec. 31, 7 p.m. EST

LOCATION: Glendale, Arizona.

TOP PLAYERS

Clemson: QB Deshaun Watson. 3,626 yards, 34 TDs passing; 441 yards, four TDs rushing.

Ohio State: J.T. Barrett. 2,428 yards, 24 TDs passing; 847 yards, nine TDs rushing.

NOTABLE

Clemson: The Tigers, who lost to Alabama in last year's national championship game, were No. 3 in the penultimate CFP rankings and moved ahead of Ohio State after beating No. 18 Virginia Tech in the ACC title game.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes lost to Penn State on Oct. 22, but got into the playoff after beating then-No. 3 Michigan in double-overtime to close out the season. They are the first team to reach the CFP without winning a conference title.

LAST TIME

Clemson 40, Ohio State 35, Jan. 2, 2013 in the Orange Bowl.

BOWL HISTORY

Clemson's 12th straight bowl appearance, lost 45-40 to Alabama in last year's national championship game.

Ohio State: Beat Notre Dame 44-28 in the Fiesta Bowl last season after winning the inaugural CFP championship the year before. The Buckeyes will be playing their 16th bowl game in 17 seasons.