Shock and Awe: West Virginia Whips Clemson and Shatters BCS records

In a record-breaking Orange Bowl performance on Wednesday night, the West Virginia Mountaineers demolished ACC champion Clemson, and caught the eye of more South Florida football recruits.

West Virginia racked up 49 points in the first half to set a BCS record. By the time the final whistle blew, the Mountaineers had scored 70 points -- the most points piled up by any team in any bowl game ... ever. The final 70-33 score really wasn't that close, as shell-shocked Clemson looked like a Division II also-ran.

MVP quarterback Geno Smith, who hails from South Florida, threw six TD passes and Tavon Austin caught four of them -- also a record. The versatile Austin also had 281 all-purpose yards for the night.

West Virginia's total domination of Clemson, along with Virginia Tech's loss to Michigan in the Sugar Bowl the night before, raised more questions about the caliber of the ACC. And as the Mountaineers prepare to leave the much-maligned Big East Conference for the Big 12, they staked a claim for more talent from Florida.

On Wednesday night, amid the shattered records at the Orange Bowl, West Virginia's dynamic, hurry-up formations made the offenses of Florida, Miami and even Florida State look like pop-gun scrimmages. The Mountaineers' manhandling of Clemson -- at one point stripping star Clemson RB Andre Ellison of the ball at the goal line and running it back 99 yards for a touchdown -- showcased a deadly combination of speed and strength.

With 22 Florida players already on his squad, West Virginia head coach and offensive guru Dana Holgorsenfigures to have more talented Florida recruits running to Morgantown.