Simply put, Clemson's speed will wear down the Bucks in the fourth quarter. I certainly hope OSU proves me wrong, but I see this CFP semi match up reinforcing the stereotype of slow Midwest - Big 10 football.
Did you graduate from Clemson lol? You make it sound like OSU has to play way above themselvesHafley is coaching in this game.
To me the key is coaching as talent wise these two teams have similar levels. I am worried that Day and his assistants were too distracted by award season, they seemed everywhere ready to give interviews or in the case of Hafley getting a new job. Clemson's staff was sitting at home preparing for yet another semi and while they are losing their offensive coordinator Dabo can cover that on his own. Venables is on another level and has yet to be out coached in a playoff game.
Like Wisconsin my guess is that Dabo gets the ball to start the game and goes deep into the playbook to try and soften up the tOSU defense. He wants the lead and wants to get into the Buckeyes heads, that is his MO. Then once into the game Trevor Lawrence will become a RPO machine and will run the ball more than what tOSU has seen on film. To me the tOSU weakness is still at LB and if they want to stop the Clemson offense Werner and Borland will have to play at a high level. On the other side of the ball I think Fields gets easily confused and really holds on to the ball too long, he cannot keep taking sacks and putting his team into 3rd and longs. Opposite of tOSU Clemson has the best LB in NCAA football, Isiah Simmons, and he is versatile. Venables will use him in a variety of manners and Fields will need to be able to read him and make adjustments based on what he is doing. I am mostly worried about him blitzing and Dobbins having another tough day picking up this key block, this was something Elliott was great at and a difference maker in the 2015 playoffs.
The bottom line is Day must stay focused and manage the game, don't let Dabo overwhelm his team and keep his players even headed. No stupid mistakes, be ready for anything and play smart; that is the key. But then again I am really woried that this will be the image we see over and over again all game long>
Fields vs Venables- Good point. Venables will confuse Fields. Dobbins needs to move the chains.I wouldn't be concerned about Day and awards season. Not saying he is better than Meyer but he never had that crazy off week Urban teams seemed to have. I think Day understands how to keep his team focused week in and week out.
I think this will be a great game. Lot of takes on what it comes down to but I think the biggest is the Fields vs Venables matchup.
Did you graduate from Clemson lol? You make it sound like OSU has to play way above themselves
He has a point. They are defending national champ and have won 27 straight. They probably would have killed everyone on OSU’s scheduleI’m just tired of Dabo spewing his nonsense about them being ranked 3rd and saying it hasn’t happened since the 1960’s or whatever. FSU was the defending national champs 5 years ago and was ranked 3rd going into the playoffs with two 1 loss teams in front of them.
FSU in 2014 was the defending national champs and on a 29 game win streak. Alabama and Oregon were ranked higher than them with 1 loss each going into the playoffs. My point is he’s making up nonsense and acting like it’s unprecedented what happened to his team because it sounds good. Not based on fact.He has a point. They are defending national champ and have won 27 straight. They probably would have killed everyone on OSU’s schedule
There is a huge biased towards SEC, Big 10, and Big 12. Clemson is the next dynasty but they get no respect because OSU and Oklahoma will make more money to the NCAA. Hence the eye testFSU in 2014 was the defending national champs and on a 29 game win streak. Alabama and Oregon were ranked higher than them with 1 loss each going into the playoffs. My point is he’s making up nonsense and acting like it’s unprecedented what happened to his team because it sounds good. Not based on fact.
This game will be easy to decide early on. JK Dobbins ability or inability to run the ball will be key to the outcome. I know Justin Fields has had a great first year as a starter. But many of these games have been blowouts or games where the Buckeyes were clear favorites. This game is a toss up. If Clemson forces Fields to have to make plays, it may be a good thing for Clemson.
As pointed out earlier, the Buckeyes have a big ability/ speed advantage vs. every team they've played, until Saturday. Can the Buckeye secondary cover receivers who are as fast as their secondary? Now Clemson did lose a ton of D-line from last year, can Ohio State control the line of scrimmage? Ohio State has playmakers on the offensive side, so I'm thinking it's going to be a game in the 30's. I'll take Clemson 38-33.
They aren't playing the teams they played in the regular season. Honestly, do you think ANY of the OSU opponents, Penn State/ Michigan/ Wisconsin could play with Clemson? That's what you need to look at. Conversely, Clemson has not played anyone like Ohio State to date either.If Ohio State plays like they did in the 1st half vs Wisconsin II they will get smacked by 14-17+ points. However, if they play like they did most of the season I see the OSU winning by like 9 points (like 35-26).
Honestly, yes. North Carolina played with Clemson and I think all those teams are a lot better than North Carolina.They aren't playing the teams they played in the regular season. Honestly, do you think ANY of the OSU opponents, Penn State/ Michigan/ Wisconsin could play with Clemson? That's what you need to look at. Conversely, Clemson has not played anyone like Ohio State to date either.