MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No surprise, but what Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine said about Clemson’s defense on Monday was one of the hot topics during Tuesday’s Media Day at Sun Life Stadium as the top-ranked Tigers’ prepare to play No. 4 Oklahoma in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday.

Perine told the media that the Sooners were going to expose Clemson’s defense, which comes into the game ranked No. 7 nationally in total defense.

“There is always a crease somewhere and over the period of time we watched film on them, there was always a crease somewhere that can be exposed and we plan on exposing them,” he said.

Perine also told reporters that the Tigers’ defense isn’t as good as it was last year, saying they were bigger and stronger in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl.

Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware says Perine is allowed to have his own opinion, but he is sorry if the Tigers slipped from No. 1 in the country to seventh.

“Obviously it is a correct statement. We were better last year. We were No. 1 in the nation and now we are No. 7 so it is what it is,” Boulware said.

The Tigers (13-0) are allowing 295.7 yards per game, and are giving up just 128.8 yards per game on the ground. Oklahoma is averaging 235 rushing yards per game.

“Hopefully, they don’t expose us,” Boulware said sarcastically. “I’m not one to try to make any controversy or make any big headlines. He can say what he wants to say, but they cannot talk their way into a win. You have to play on Thursday. You have to play the game so they can talk all they want to. Obviously, that is how they are trying to win the game, but you have to play the game. You have to line up and beat the man in front of you so we will see come game day.”

Perine rushed for 134 yards on 23 carries in last year’s game against Clemson, but 72 of those yards came in the fourth quarter against the Tigers’ second and third string players. He also lost a fumble in the game.

Clemson won the game, 40-6, which was one year ago on Tuesday.

“I’m not surprised (they are talking junk). They lost 40-6 last year,” safety Jayron Kearse said. “They need to talk junk. The need to boost themself up, they need to give themselves confidence and talk their way into a win.

“We don’t have to talk. We put it on film last year and we put it on film these 13 games this year and we are going to go out and do the same thing on Thursday.”

The Tigers held Oklahoma (11-1) to 278 total yards in last year’s game, despite Perine’s 72-fourth quarter yards. That ultimately led Sooners’ head coach Bob Stoops to change offensive coordinators, which played a big role on why Oklahoma is averaging 542.9 yards and 45.8 points per game this year.

And though the Clemson players respect what the Sooners have accomplished, it doesn’t mean they were happy with how Perine is disrespecting their accomplishments.

“I saw what he said. He can feel that way,” defensive end Shaq Lawson said. “They have a lot of weaknesses and we will expose them, too. That’s how he feels about the game. We are just going to be ready to play.

“I guess he has seen some stuff on film and everything, but we don’t have to worry about that. If we play the way we played the first five games of Clemson football, we will be straight.”