Records
Ohio State (13-0), Clemson (13-0)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, December 28
Game Time: 8pm ET
Network: ESPN
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ – Capacity: 63,400
All-Time Series: Clemson leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Clemson defeated Ohio State 31-0 in 2016 CFP Semi-Finals
It’s finally playoff time Buckeye fans! After the committee decided that LSU was more deserving of the No. 1 ranking, Clemson will be waiting in the desert.
This will be the biggest test Ohio State has faced all year. Yes, Clemson has not looked great, played in a weak ACC, and almost lost to North Carolina, but it has something the Buckeye players and coaching staff doesn’t have… playoff experience.
Having experience in these types of situations is huge. But there are also a lot of other factors. When the spotlight is brightest, who will be able to stay composed and make the necessary plays?
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
This is a big one. Much like the SEC monkey of the 90s and early 2000s, Ohio State needs to get a win over Clemson. With no wins and three losses all-time, the Tigers are becoming a thorn in the Buckeyes side.
Clemson comes into the Fiesta Bowl as the top ranked defense in the land. The Tigers defense gives up a lowly 139 yards through the air, 106 yards on the ground and only 10.6 points per game. Many may say this might be attributed to a weak schedule, but they are still lofty stats nonetheless. As much as Clemson will be the best team Ohio State as faced, Ohio State will also be the best team Clemson has played all year.
Offensively, JK Dobbins and the O Line will have to control the game. Dobbins has been running wild as of late and he doesn’t want to come off the field. One of our writers, Samual Baum, did a little research and found an interesting stat.
Ohio State is 18-0 when Dobbins runs for more than a hundred yards. Ohio State’s three losses since he’s been in the program occurred when he rushed for less than 100 yards. Oddly enough in the games that Ohio State lost, Dobbins had only 14 rushing attempts total.
Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
JK Dobbins, Running Back. Dobbins has been Mr. Reliable for the Ohio State offense this year. Justin Fields and Chase Young have gotten most of the attention this year, but there might not be a more valuable player in Scarlet and Gray.
And Dobbins has showed up in the biggest games this season. In Ohio State’s final three games of the season, Dobbins did his best work. Against No. 8 Penn State, No. 13 Michigan, and No. 8 Wisconsin, Dobbins combined for 540 yards and 7 scores. The Buckeyes will need him to have another big game under the brightest of lights.
Jeff Okudah, Cornerback. Jeff Okudah is one of the top cover corners in the nation. It’s why he’s projected to be the top defensive back taken in the NFL draft if he comes out early. But he’ll have his hands full matching up against Tee Higgins. No one has really been able to slow Higgins down this year, but Jeff Okudah is on a different level. Teams just simply don’t throw his way much. I imagine Clemson will still try to go to their best receiver and with his size and speed, he may get a few. Okudah needs to be an equalizer and keep Higgins from sparking big plays.
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
This one’s going to be a clash of the titans. Two of the best teams in the nation with NFL talent littered all over the field. I expect this to be a back and forth contest all night long.
I expect Clemson to come out strong. As I said earlier, experience will be a big factor in this game and Clemson has plenty of it. Every player on the Tigers’ roster has playoff experience with the exception of true freshmen. With that in mind, I believe it will take the Buckeyes about a quarter to see past the bright lights and gravity of it all.
But just like we witnessed in the Big Ten Championship game, once the Buckeyes turn it on, it’ll come in bunches. J.K, Dobbins will hammer away and establish the ground game which will open up some down the field throws from Justin Fields.
The defense will give up a couple early scores before they settle down and start bottling up the Tiger offense. Ohio State has been the most complete team in the nation all year long and shows it when needed most. The Buckeyes gets two scores late and come out on top to play for a national championship in the Big Easy.
Final Score
Ohio State 34, Clemson 31
Line
Clemson -2.5
“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.”
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
