We’re finally here — the College Football Playoff! In a year that has ticked by at a snail’s pace, it’s hard to believe 2020 is almost over and the college football season that almost wasn’t is coming to an end.
At 6-0, Ohio State finds itself in familiar territory, back in the CFP for the fourth time and back-to-back appearances for the first time. The Buckeyes also know their foe well, matching up with the Clemson Tigers for the third- straight time in their playoff history.
The first two times on the dance floor with the Tigers didn’t go as planned, one a monumental embarrassment, the other an all-time classic, both ending with OSU on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
Most believe the Buckeyes have little to no shot at knocking off Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. But that’s why we play the games, and in a season as strange as 2020 has been… anything can happen.
NEXT … Records and broadcast information
Records
Ohio State (6-0), Clemson (10-1)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Friday, January 1
Game Time: 8 PM EST
Network: ESPN
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana) Capacity: 74,295 (Limited fan attendance permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions)
All-Time Series: Clemson leads 4-0
Last Meeting: Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in 2019 (College Football Semi-Final, Fiesta Bowl)
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
Ohio State is staring down the same mountain that has plagued it in every playoff appearance since winning the inaugural CFP national championship in January of 2015. The Buckeyes have made the playoffs twice since then and have not yet been able to conquer the mammoth in front of them.
Bring on 2020, and the Buckeyes are facing that familiar orange and purple that has denied them their dreams in the past. For the Bucks to get past this nemesis and reach the mountain top, they will have to be at their absolute best. And that means everyone, including head coach Ryan Day.
In the Big Ten Championship game, Justin Fields did not look his normal Heisman caliber self. That may have been due to a number of factors like missing his No. 1 target, Chris Olave, or the fact that at some point during the game, Fields injured his throwing hand.
However, I’d argue that Ryan Day didn’t put Fields in a position to succeed by calling the worst game of his young career. Day called way too many pass plays in the first half along with odd trick plays. Ohio State has too much talent to rely on smoke and mirrors. Ryan Day must do a better job of calling plays if Ohio State wants to keep this game close.
Speaking of Justin Fields, for the Buckeyes to have any chance against Clemson, he must be on top of his game. Too many times this year, he’s held onto the ball for too long. Sometimes you throw it away to live another day. Better yet, in Fields’ case, when you have that amount of athleticism, tuck it and go. The added dimension of Fields running the ball will keep a young Clemson defense, who replaced nine starters from last year’s team, on its heels.
Of course, the running game will be a key factor as well. This Clemson defense can be run on. I don’t expect 300 yards from Trey Sermon again, and Master Teague’s status is still unknown, but I do know if Ohio State runs the ball, it will open up the passing game that much more.
Defensively, things could get dicey. Trevor Lawrence will be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft for a reason. Heck, he probably could’ve started this year for about half of the NFL teams. I know Buckeye fans are sick of Lawrence and his flowing locks, but he’s that good. The secondary will be challenged, but this is the weakest group of receivers that Clemson has had in a long, long time.
The Buckeyes have been strong against the run all year long and will need to be once again facing one of the best running backs in college football, Travis Etienne. The front seven should continue to do well against a less than stellar Clemson line and contain the Tiger’s running game. But it’s Etienne’s receiving game that could give OSU fits.
Ohio State held Etienne in check running the ball in last year’s Fiesta Bowl — holding him to just 36 yards. But Etienne really hurt the Buckeyes with 98 yards through the air and two touchdowns. The Bucks also didn’t account for how athletic Trevor Lawrence was last year, allowing him to run for 107 yards. Kerry Combs would be wise to make sure someone has eyes on the Clemson quarterback’s legs at all times.
Bottom line… Ohio State is going to have to play a nearly flawless game to finally get in the win column against Dabo Swinney and have a chance at the national championship.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Justin Fields – Quarterback: It is no secret, the key to the Ohio State motor is Justin Fields. It feels like he’s been pressing most of this year, trying to do too much on his own. This will be the game that determines Fields’ legacy at Ohio State. If he plays like we know he can, the Buckeyes have a great chance to shock the world. If he plays the way he did against Indiana and Northwestern… we’ll, it’s back to the drawing board and another year of Clemson fans incorrigible boasting (I mean, you’d think they invented football or something after a really good decade run at this thing).
🏆 The 2020 Graham-George @bigten Offensive Player of the Year is @justnfields ‼️#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/Lw5fGRfLPW
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 15, 2020
Shaun Wade – Cornerback: The Ohio State secondary has looked very suspect at times this year. When you lose two first-round draft picks like Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, along with an underrated safety in Jordan Fuller, it’s a lot to make up for. You can bet Clemson knows that the Bucks have struggled to defend the pass and will look to exploit it. Shaun Wade has been waiting for this moment since he was ejected for a bogus targeting call on Trevor Lawrence in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. Wade will need to step up and lead a young secondary against the nation’s best quarterback.
🏆 The 2020 Tatum-Woodson @bigten Defensive Back of the Year is @shaunwade24 ‼️#GoBuckeyes #BIA pic.twitter.com/Nv2wnFlYp2
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 16, 2020
Next … How it’ll all go down
The prediction
Nobody… and I mean nobody seems to be giving Ohio State much of a chance in this game. The experts all say last year’s team was the one and they missed the opportunity. Six games haven’t been enough to prove they belong. And the list goes on.
It is interesting that so many believe that this game won’t even be close. Talent-wise, Ohio State compares favorably to Clemson. But the Buckeyes haven’t shown it on the field, and admittedly, Clemson has looked more the part.
However, in my lifetime, Ohio State has always played better when doubted. When the talking heads tell the Buckeyes all the reasons why they don’t belong, they seem to show up the biggest. It was the same story in 2002 against an unbeatable Miami team. And it was the same story again in 2014/2015 when Ohio State had zero chance against both Alabama and Oregon. Remember?
This game will come down to who can control the trenches and I believe Ohio State has better lines on both sides of the ball. It’s going to be a dog fight in a momentum-swinging, back and forth game.
The Buckeyes have heard all the naysayers. They know Dabo voted them No. 11 in the nation. This team has something to prove, and I believe they’ll find a way to come out on top in the end.
Final Score
Ohio State 34, Clemson 31
Line
Clemson – 7.5 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.)
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