The 1982 edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Clemson Tigers. Clemson, coached by Danny Ford, came into the game unbeaten at 11-0 and ranked #1 and was attempting to win its first national championship. Nebraska had started the 1981 season poorly, but then caught fire and steamrolled their way through the remaining eight games to emerge at 9-2 and a solid #4 in the polls. Earlier in the day, #2 Georgia and #3 Alabama had both lost, theoretically opening the door for Clemson or Nebraska to claim the national title with a victory.