Les Miles called his team’s Chick-fil-A Bowl matchup with Clemson “very likely better than some of the BCS games” on Wednesday, as he previewed the matchup of Tigers on December 31.
Joined by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva, Chick-fil-A Vice President of Marketing Steve Robinson and Chick-fil-A Bowl CEO Gary Stokan, Miles praised the perennial ACC powerhouse’s potent offensive attack.
“I thought there were a number of sports where [Clemson] really stepped up and made plays,” Miles said. “I think you can see it in virtually every game.”
Alleva officially accepted Stokan’s invitation to the New Year’s Eve game in the Georgia Dome, one that has sold out for 15 consecutive seasons, trailing only the Rose Bowl for the longest active streak among bowl games.
Stokan praised LSU’s fervent fanbase and was more than optimistic that a sixteenth sellout would be in the cards at the end of the month.
“From an LSU perspective, their tickets typically sell very, very well,” Stokan said. “Their fans enjoy coming to Atlanta. They’ve had great success up there, so its easy to see why.”
With a week full of activities for both teams, including pitting both team’s offensive lines against each other in a milkshake making contest , Stokan promised this year’s activities would fulfill the game’s theme of “Live, Laugh and Learn.”
Stokan added both teams would visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and the children’s ward of some area hospitals.
Clemson will come into the contest fresh off a 27-17 loss to in-state rival South Carolina, whom LSU defeated 23-21 on October 13.
Both teams also defeated Auburn in the regular season, something Miles said he could use to his advantage, but added he will not reach out to either team in his scouting of Clemson.
Highlights from the Chick-Fil-A Bowl presser featuring Chick-Fil-A Bowl President and CEO Gary Stokan, Chick-Fil-A Executive Vice President Steve Robinson, Athletic Director Joe Alleva, and Head Coach Les Miles.
Extended comments from Head Coach Les Miles:
“The only thing you do recognize is that we played South Carolina, and certainly we know what their offensive and defensive lines are capable of,” Miles said. “We recognize that Clemson played them awfully well to a point.
Led by junior quarterback Tajh Boyd and sophomore wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Clemson averages 518.3 yards per game, 319.6 of which come through the air.
“They have a very capable receiving corps, and there are big plays in that receiving corps,” Miles said. “[Boyd] has the ability to move his feet, run and extend plays.”
Miles said suspended linebackers D.J. Welter and Tahj Jones will be back for the bowl, along with junior guard Josh Williford, who suffered a concussion during the 14-6 loss to Florida.
LSU will return to the practice field on Thursday to begin preparations for Clemson before departing for Atlanta two weeks later.
