MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Oklahoma and Clemson enter Thursday's national semifinal as extraordinarily similar teams, both on the field and on paper.
Both had an All-America, Heisman-candidate at quarterback who can move. Both are starting a true freshman offensive tackle. Both played in the Russell Athletic Bowl last year. There's the Brent Venable factor.
So is it any wonder that No. 1 Clemson and No. 4 Oklahoma — who will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Orange Bowl — were built quite similarly on the recruiting trail?
Since 2011, Clemson's average Rivals.com team recruiting ranking has been 10.