The 1982 edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers and 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 won their next eight games to emerge at 9–2 and #4 in the polls. Earlier in the day, #2 Georgia and #3 Alabama had both lost (24–20 to #8 Pittsburgh and 14–12 to #6 Texas respectively), theoretically opening the door for Clemson or Nebraska to claim the national title with a victory.