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Nov 1, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State will defeat Clemson if these things happen and I think they will.
Ohio State is favored to win the Playstation Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, but I don’t see too many pundits picking the Buckeyes.
Here is what they see. Clemson has Deshaun Watson, the self-described best player in the country and a defense that is No. 4 in the FBS in sacks. Ohio State can’t block anyone and J.T. Barrett is wildly inaccurate. Advantage Clemson.
Whatever. The truth is both of these teams are phenomenal and this is going to be a great game unless one of them completely plays flat. Not likely.
Here are six predictions for the game:
Curtis Samuel will catch a touchdown pass longer than 50 yards
Not that it was a secret, but Jadar Johnson alluded to the defense Clemson will play when he said “He’s pretty good. We’ve definitely faced quarterbacks better than him. I feel like if we can limit him on the ground with his running then we’ll be pretty good. I don’t think he’s a very accurate passer. “
The Tigers are going to load the box to stop the run. I would not be surprised if they play a Bear, Cover 0 defense most of the night as long as it working.
If they do, the middle of the field will be open for exploitation. Despite Barrett’s struggles, he will hit Samuel in stride on a slant or dig early in the game and take it to the end zone.
Sep 10, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Weber will rush for 150 yards
Even though he gets overshadowed by Samuel and Barrett, Weber is the workhorse. His workload will be substantial and the results will be mixed early in the game as the defense schemes to stop the run.
The two-yard gains will slowly become five-yard gains or more in the second half as Meyer commits to pounding on the Tigers’ defense to break their will.
Weber will eventually break a few long runs to get the yard total up to 150 late in the game.
Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) celebrates his first quarter sack with teammate Tommy Schutt (90) versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The defense will hold Clemson under 100-yards rushing
Pitt is the only team to beat Clemson this year and the only defense to hold the Tigers under 100 yards rushing. They finished with 50.
N.C. State held them to 117 and would have won the game if it had a kicker with a pulse.
Coincidence? Not likely.
How will the Silver Bullets do it?
Do what they’ve done all season. Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano trusts Gareon Conley and Marshone Lattimore to blanket Mike Williams and the rest of Clemson’s wide receiving corps so the rest of the guys can focus on stopping the run and pressure Deshaun Watson.
Unlike 2013, this secondary will rise to the challenge when Dabo Swinney decides to pass on every down.
Sep 6, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dontre Wilson (2) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Dontre Wilson will return a punt for a touchdown
Meyer’s punt return unit has been dreadful this year and that’s being kind. Drops and fielding inside the 10-yard line have afflicted them all season often causing the offensive woes.
Wilson’s career has been plagued by injuries that derailed high expectations, but he is healthy and due for a breakout game.
I suspect he knows that this is his one chance to really shine and make a difference. I expect him to deliver even though I think I have a better chance at winning the lottery than actually seeing this happen.
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) scores the winning touchdown in the second overtime under pursuit from Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
The game will go to overtime
Great quarterbacks, stout defenses and a never quit attitude. This screams close game and overtime.
Either Barrett or Watson will drive his team for the game tying score late in the fourth quarter forcing overtime.
Score:
The game will end 27-27 in regulation and then Clemson will score a field goal on its overtime possession and Ohio State will score a touchdown. Buckeyes win 33-30.
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