Clemson, USC Heading to Big-Time Bowls

It's now official.

South Carolina's major college football teams are heading to two of the biggest and best bowl games in the new year.

Clemson, which won the ACC title with a dominating 38-10 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday night in Charlotte, NC, is heading to Miami to play West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. The Mountaineers won the Big East Conference by ending the season with the best BCS ranking at No. 23. The Tigers, ranked No. 15, will be playing in the Orange Bowl for the first time in 30 years, when Clemson won the national title there. That game is at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 4.

To buy Orange Bowl tickets, call 305-341-4701 or visit the Orange Bowl web site.

South Carolina, meanwhile, will be heading to Orlando, FL, for the Capital One Bowl, where the Gamecocks will play Nebraska at 1 p.m. Jan. 2. The Capital One Bowl, according to reports, will be the highest-payout game outside of the major BCS bowls. The Gamecocks finished the season ranked No. 9 in the BCS standings.

Coach Steve Spurrier said the team has a lot to play for.

"They have as much to play for as any team in the country," Spurrier said. "And that's the opportunity to have the best record in school history here going for the 11th win."

"We know it won't be easy. It'll be difficult to beat a very good, tough Nebraska team. We look forward to the challenge."

Sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw agreed that playing against Nebraska will be tough.

"When you think of Nebraska, you think of tradition," Shaw said. "They used to be a power house." 

Spurrier said the team will practice a solid two weeks before traveling to Orlando for the game in January.

To buy Capital One Bowl tickets, call 800-745-3000 or visit the Capital One Bowl web site.

Both teams stand to make millions for their schools and their respective conferences.