Perfect timing: Tigers delighted with new indoor practice facility

'Oh, the weather outside is frightful...'

But for Clemson's Tigers, a week of nasty-weather practice was nothing less than delightful.

Asked about the Tigers' practice on a cold, dreary Thursday, quarterback Tajh Boyd broke out into a wide grin.

"It was beautiful, just beautiful," Boyd said. "I looked out my window and thought, man, it's raining. And then I thought, 'but we're indoors.'

"It's really nice. The alumni did a great job in helping out with that."

Boyd said the Tigers were not only able to practice out of the rain and on a stable playing surface, but also were able to practice in conditions similar to what they'll experience in the Georgia Dome next week.

"It's been great preparation for us - it's really humid in there," he said. "I think we're as prepared as much as we can be for this bowl game."

Boyd said the Tigers' post-holiday schedule is conducive to carrying out a normal game-week routine.

"When we get down there, it will be just like a regular game week - five days leading up to the game," he said. "It will be just like a regular-season game."