Oklahoma to Face Clemson in CFP Semifinals

NORMAN — Big 12 champion Oklahoma, winner of seven straight games, will continue pursuit of its eighth national championship when it takes on Clemson in the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 in the College Football Playoff Semifinals. OU's bowl destination was announced late Sunday morning.

The Orange Bowl, to be played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. CT and will be televised by ESPN.

The No. 4 Sooners, are the first Big 12 program to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The No. 4 Sooners (11-1 overall, 8-1 Big 12) are the first Big 12 program to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, which is in its second year. They boast the nation's third-ranked scoring offense (45.8 ppg) and 21st-ranked scoring defense (20.8 ppg). No. 1 Clemson (13-0, 8-0 ACC) ranks 15th nationally in scoring offense (38.5 ppg) and 18th in scoring defense (20.2 ppg). The Tigers are riding a nation-leading 16-game winning streak dating back to last season.

The Oklahoma-Clemson winner will advance to the College Football Playoff Championship on Monday, Jan. 11, in Glendale, Ariz., against the winner of the other New Year's Eve playoff semifinal between No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, which will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and also air on ESPN.

All-Time Bowl Wins/Games
Team	Bowl Wins	Bowl Games
1. Alabama	35	62
2. USC	33	50
3. Oklahoma	28	48

Active Bowl Streaks
Team	Streak	Season Began
1. Virginia Tech	23	1993
2. Georgia	19	1997
4. Oklahoma	17	1999

Oklahoma Bowl Summary
Bowl Game	Record
BCS Championship Game*	0-1
Fiesta Bowl	2-3
Orange Bowl	12-6
Rose Bowl	1-0
Sugar Bowl	5-2
Astro Bluebonnet Bowl	0-1-1
Citrus Bowl	0-1
Cotton Bowl	1-1
Gator Bowl	2-1
Holiday Bowl	1-0
Independence Bowl	0-1
Copper/Insight Bowl	1-1
Sun Bowl	3-0
Russell Athletic Bowl	0-1
* - Refers to specific games played from 2006-13 which were designated as the BCS National Championship Game

Oklahoma is arguably the hottest team in the country, winning its last seven games by an average score of 52-19. Each of OU's last three wins came against teams ranked in the top 11 of the AP poll at the time of competition, two of them on the road.

The Sooners are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Baker Mayfield. The junior quarterback ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and pass efficiency rating (178.9), No. 6 in passing TDs (35) and points responsible for per game (21.0) and No. 7 in pass completion percentage (.686). Mayfield has accounted for 42 touchdowns and only five turnovers on the season (8.4 to 1 ratio). Under his direction, OU has surpassed 500 yards of total offense in nine of 12 games, including in each of the last seven.

The OU defense ranks first in the Big 12 in every major defensive category. During the team's seven-game winning streak, the Sooners have registered 23 sacks and forced 19 turnovers (15 interceptions). They have held each of the last seven foes to yardage totals below their season average.

The Sooners are making their 49th bowl appearance and 17th straight under 17th-year head coach Bob Stoops. Only three schools entered this season with longer active consecutive streaks of bowl appearances recognized by the NCAA – Virginia Tech (22), Georgia (18) and Georgia Tech (18). The Sooners have an all-time bowl record of 28-19-1 and have won four of their last six bowl appearances under Stoops.

Oklahoma boasts a rich and successful Orange Bowl history. This year's Orange Bowl appearance will be OU's 19th (it is 12-6). Four of the Sooners' seven national championships culminated with Orange Bowl wins.

The Sooners are making their 49th bowl appearance and 17th straight under 17th-year head coach Bob Stoops.

OU holds a 2-2 all-time record against Clemson. The most recent matchup resulted in a 40-6 Tigers win in last year's Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

TICKET INFORMATION

Sooner Club members will be notified via email within 24 hours of the bowl announcement regarding the number of tickets and parking they have qualified to receive, with a deadline of noon CT on Tuesday to cancel orders. Instructions for the bowl and the ability to cancel will be included on members' online accounts.

OU student football season ticket holders will be notified via email and social media regarding the process for student bowl ticket purchases within 24 hours of the bowl announcement. All student ticket charges will be applied to university bursar accounts. All student tickets will be placed at will call at the bowl site and students MUST have a valid OU student I.D. to pick up their tickets (no exceptions).

A limited amount of Capital One Orange Bowl tickets will go on sale to the public at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 8, on SoonerSports.com. Watch SoonerSports.com and OU's social media outlets for additional information on Monday. All public purchase requests will be reviewed and approved by the University of Oklahoma prior to seats being allocated.