Game Thread CFP Semifinal: Ohio State vs. Clemson, Sat 12/31 @ 7p ET, ESPN

[Systems_id]

Clemson's so difficult to get a read on because I can't tell if they're just bored or if they're merely a "good" team in a mediocre conference. They remind me a little of the 2014 FSU squad but Clemson has dominated a little more often than the 'Noles did.

 

[redguard117]

Clemson's so difficult to get a read on because I can't tell if they're just bored or if they're merely a "good" team in a mediocre conference. They remind me a little of the 2014 FSU squad but Clemson has dominated a little more often than the 'Noles did.

Honestly, they remind me a lot of us last year.

Senior team full of NFL talent that coasted and underwhelmed against a mind-numbingly bland schedule, lost to someone they shouldn't have, and finally started to turn it on at the end of the season.

To be frank, that is also what worries me

 

[billmac91]

Honestly, they remind me a lot of us last year.

Senior team full of NFL talent that coasted and underwhelmed against a mind-numbingly bland schedule, lost to someone they shouldn't have, and finally started to turn it on at the end of the season.

To be frank, that is also what worries me

It's this X's 1000.....

I think it's less about coasting against the schedule and more about players maintaining hunger when they're a few months from payday and there is quite frankly a legit fear in the back of their minds, and it manifests into lethargic play.

Remember Urban preaching multiple steps passed the whistle in 2014...? It's tough to get guaranteed first rounders to play that aggressive. It's hard to pin-point on tape but it absolutely exists.

I've kind of flipped in terms of teams I like at beginning of year now. Give me the hungry, young team with guys wanting to put together great film for scouts vs. guys still in school only because of draft rules (RS soph's and juniors mostly). I don't put seniors in this camp because they could've left if they wanted too.

Clemson has a lot of juniors who are gone after the final whistle whenever that manifests.....that would concern me as a Tiger fan.

 

[Gcashwell]

Honestly, they remind me a lot of us last year.

Senior team full of NFL talent that coasted and underwhelmed against a mind-numbingly bland schedule, lost to someone they shouldn't have, and finally started to turn it on at the end of the season.

To be frank, that is also what worries me

OSU had a reason to not have drive though. Clemson should have looked way more hungry than they have.

 

[Jaxbuck]

It's this X's 1000.....

I think it's less about coasting against the schedule and more about players maintaining hunger when they're a few months from payday and there is quite frankly a legit fear in the back of their minds, and it manifests into lethargic play.

Remember Urban preaching multiple steps passed the whistle in 2014...? It's tough to get guaranteed first rounders to play that aggressive. It's hard to pin-point on take but it absolutely exists.

I've kind of flipped in terms of teams I like at beginning of year now. Give me the hungry, young team with guys wanting to put together great film for scouts vs. guys still in school only because of draft rules (RS soph's and juniors mostly). I don't put seniors in this camp because they could've left if they wanted too.

Clemson has a lot of juniors who are gone after the final whistle whenever that manifests.....that would concern me as a Tiger fan.

OSU had a reason to not have drive though. Clemson should have looked way more hungry than they have.

same line of thought for me

They played 3 reasonably tough opponents in Auburn, L'ville and FSU...won each game by less than a TD, then have their bad loss and you think "here they go" but then struggle to beat VT.

At this point you can't try to figure out if it's a motivational issue, they've played 4 teams with a pulse and were taken to the limit by each of them. I think they are who their record and stats say they are.

 

[billmac91]

same line of thought for me

They played 3 reasonably tough opponents in Auburn, L'ville and FSU...won each game by less than a TD, then have their bad loss and you think "here they go" but then struggle to beat VT.

At this point you can't try to figure out if it's a motivational issue, they've played 4 teams with a pulse and were taken to the limit by each of them. I think they are who their record and stats say they are.

Certainly just my opinion, but it's less about hunger for a title and more about playing with a different aggression.

Let's be real.....any draft eligible player who is certain to be taken has someone in their ear telling them "don't get hurt". If you play football with even a single thought to not be reckless, your play is going to suffer.

Look at our roster that won the title. A majority of our impact players were putting film on tape....call me cynical but these guys are playing for $$$ at the next level. The hungriest and nastiest you will see a guy is when he is playing for that cash. A guaranteed first or second rounder isn't going to give you the aggression or nastiness of a guy trying to get to that level....

We had a lot of guys who had a lot of $$$ to be protected last year. And this isn't a slight on them.....id do the same thing. Nobody wants to be Jaylon Smith.

 

[Taosman]

Yes! It's "motivation" or lack there of that could be the issue or having lost so many players they are in a "drop off". At least on defense.
Watching V-tech play them tough gives me hope we can win.
It's going to be the best game of the Bowl season.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Certainly just my opinion, but it's less about hunger for a title and more about playing with a different aggression.

Let's be real.....any draft eligible player who is certain to be taken has someone in their ear telling them "don't get hurt". If you play football with even a single thought to not be reckless, your play is going to suffer.

Look at our roster that won the title. A majority of our impact players were putting film on tape....call me cynical but these guys are playing for $$$ at the next level. The hungriest and nastiest you will see a guy is when he is playing for that cash. A guaranteed first or second rounder isn't going to give you the aggression or nastiness of a guy trying to get to that level....

We had a lot of guys who had a lot of $$$ to be protected last year. And this isn't a slight on them.....id do the same thing. Nobody wants to be Jaylon Smith.

Lou Holtz used to say the best you ever got out of a player was his JR year, which would translate to your soph year theory these days.

 

[Systems_id]

same line of thought for me

They played 3 reasonably tough opponents in Auburn, L'ville and FSU...won each game by less than a TD, then have their bad loss and you think "here they go" but then struggle to beat VT.

At this point you can't try to figure out if it's a motivational issue, they've played 4 teams with a pulse and were taken to the limit by each of them. I think they are who their record and stats say they are.

Yeah I thought Clemson had turned it on after the Pitt loss until they played VaTech.

 

[Gcashwell]

Certainly just my opinion, but it's less about hunger for a title and more about playing with a different aggression.

Let's be real.....any draft eligible player who is certain to be taken has someone in their ear telling them "don't get hurt". If you play football with even a single thought to not be reckless, your play is going to suffer.

Look at our roster that won the title. A majority of our impact players were putting film on tape....call me cynical but these guys are playing for $$$ at the next level. The hungriest and nastiest you will see a guy is when he is playing for that cash. A guaranteed first or second rounder isn't going to give you the aggression or nastiness of a guy trying to get to that level....

We had a lot of guys who had a lot of $$$ to be protected last year. And this isn't a slight on them.....id do the same thing. Nobody wants to be Jaylon Smith.

You can't say that here because too many people like to laugh at Saban saying his players were distracted by the draft.

The fact is it's true. The fact is also that it's just as much of a flaw as not being good at football. Motivation can come from, or be taken in many ways. That's why it's so damn hard to repeat.

 

[bukIpower]

Clemson strikes me as a entitled group to be honest. Lead by their QB and proved it as such with his latest comments about being the best player in the country. They're talented we know that, but the issue is so do they.

I think we get the sloppy, careless, and entitled group that they've been all year and win the damn game.

I'm thinking OSU 34 Clemson 27

 

[Gcashwell]

Clemson strikes me as a entitled group to be honest. Lead by their QB and proved it as such with his latest comments about being the best player in the country. They're talented we know that, but the issue is so do they.

I think we get the sloppy, careless, and entitled group that they've been all year and win the damn game.

I'm thinking OSU 34 Clemson 27

Going to need some better playcalling to score 34. I've been disappointed with the vanilla offense from OSU this year. They've always looked like they are saving something.

I think it's going to be a three point game in the 20's. I have no idea who will win.

 

[Systems_id]

Going to need some better playcalling to score 34. I've been disappointed with the vanilla offense from OSU this year. They've always looked like they are saving something.

I think it's going to be a three point game in the 20's. I have no idea who will win.

I think we get to 30+, possibly 40+ imo. The Buckeyes have had their troubles for sure but Clemson's let far worse offenses than Ohio State drop 30+ on them. Urban's going to have a gameplan ready.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I think we get to 30+, possibly 40+ imo. The Buckeyes have had their troubles for sure but Clemson's let far worse offenses than Ohio State drop 30+ on them. Urban's going to have a gameplan ready.

If we're to score 40+, give Studwara(sp?) a raise because he will have fixed Prince's issues in a month. I think 27-33 is more realistic

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

My only worry about motivation (notice I said "motivation"....because I have lots & lots of worries) is the fact Clemson came SO CLOSE last year to taking home that trophy. And, that gives a player, NFL bound or not, a hunger to resolve unfinished business.Ohio State, yes, may hear a lot about losing to Clemson in 2014--but many of these guys weren't there to feel the sting.

However, you gotta thank DW for providing some excellent bulletin board material. Wish he would've added a quip about a "basic QB" in there somewhere.

In regard to comparing Clemson to the 2014 FSU team...I think that's a load of crap. FSU was put in because they were 12-0 and the reigning National Champions. They were completely overrated and I think many of us knew they would be knocked out in the 1st round. I watched many of their games and was not impressed whatsoever. Clemson has a better team. I think DW has a big head but I don't nearly hate him as much as Jameis Winston. But, that's just a personal thing.