Clemson, LSU ready to showcase strengths

ATLANTA — Tajh Boyd said it.

So did his coach.

Monday night’s Chick-fil-A Bowl against LSU is a prime-time national stage for Boyd and Clemson’s high-scoring offense.

His coaches and teammates see Boyd as the player destined to grab the bowl spotlight. The dual-threat quarterback led No. 14 Clemson (10-2) with 34 touchdown passes to tie Philip Rivers‘ Atlantic Coast Conference single-season record. He was honored as ACC player of the year.

A win over No. 9 LSU (10-2), one of the powerful Southeastern Conference’s biggest names known for its strong defense, would be a big step for Boyd. It also could be the perfect setup for Clemson’s 2013 season.

LSU ranks eighth in the nation in total defense and 11th in points allowed.

Boyd, a junior, could be playing his final college game. But he sounded as though he was making plans to return when he said this week the program “is on the verge of something great” and “we want a national championship; it’s in sight.”

Clemson needs to score 25 points against LSU to become the most prolific offense in ACC history. Boyd has led Clemson to 37 points or more in 10 of 12 games.

“We want to be the most explosive offense in the country,” Boyd said. “There’s no better stage for that other than the one we’re on right now — one of the best bowl games out there going against one of the best defenses.”

Clemson offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chad Morris also spoke of the game as a chance for the nation to witness Boyd’s brilliance.

“It’s the stage that he’s been looking for, and you can’t ask for anything better than this,” Morris said.

There will be no other bowl competing for the nation’s attention when the Tigers from the SEC and the Tigers from the ACC play in the Georgia Dome.

Clemson’s regular season ended with a disappointing 27-17 loss to in-state rival South Carolina. Clemson averages 42.3 points, but Boyd was held to 183 yards passing with one touchdown.

Clemson is known for its passing game, but senior running back Andre Ellington topped 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season. Boyd had 492 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.

The loss to South Carolina raised new questions about the ability of the spread offense to dominate outside the ACC. Clemson’s second-lowest points total also came against a team from the SEC, a 26-19 opening win over Auburn in the Georgia Dome.

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