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

[ScriptOhio]

 

[LitlBuck]

I was wondering if Clemson was going to take buses to Arizona and how are they going to transport that rock

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

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.

We played 4 teams with a pulse and we're taken to the limit by 3 of them. And Oklahoma feels like forever ago. On that note if you line up ttun, psu, Oklahoma and Wisconsin against FSU, l'ville, auburn and Pitt and I'd take the former in all 4. And we actually get to see 2 of them.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

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.

This! I have for a while thought the ACC is complete garbage with 2 really good teams. Now L'ville has gotten some talented coaches. And they look 'good'.
Now I think the question is: is the big ten really as good as people think. I hope that big ten defensive lines are just really good... or we are in for a painful game.

 

[ScriptOhio]

OHIO STATE'S BALLHAWKING SECONDARY HOPES TO GET PLENTY OF CHANCES AGAINST TURNOVER-PRONE CLEMSON OFFENSE

When Ohio State and Clemson meet Dec. 31, the Buckeyes will be facing what is arguably the best offense they’ve seen all season.

Led by a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback, the Tigers rack up yards and score points in a hurry as Deshaun Watson can choose from a stable of talented playmakers — any of whom can hurt opposing defenses on a given snap.

If there is a chink in the armor of Clemson’s offense this season, however, it is the turnover bug. The Tigers have committed 24 so far this year and Watson has 15 interceptions himself.

That’s certainly something Ohio State’s ballhawking defense is well aware of.

“I feel like it’s the mindset of good defenses, to create turnovers and great defenses score,” Buckeyes' All-American safety Malik Hooker said. “So, I feel like any time we get a turnover, everybody feels like, it’s almost obligated for us to score.”

The Buckeyes have a pretty good success rate this season, too.

Ohio State has 19 interceptions on the year. Its starting secondary — Hooker, Damon Webb, Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore — have 14 of those. Seven of those 19 interceptions have been returned for touchdowns.

“We just look at it like good defenses create takeaways and great defenses score,” Hooker said. “That’s been our mindset throughout the season and I feel like it definitely paid off.”

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...nty-of-chances-against-turnover-prone-clemson

 

[ScriptOhio]

ASK THE BEAT WRITER: A HOST OF QUESTIONS WITH ORANGE AND WHITE'S DAN HOPE ON ALL THINGS CLEMSON

Clemson and Ohio State don't kick off for another eight days but there is never a bad time to connect with reporters that cover the opposition to get their insight on the upcoming matchup for Urban Meyer's team. On a more personal and fortunate note for myself, the matchup between the Buckeyes and Tigers allowed me to reconnect with a former colleague and friend Dan Hope, with whom we will do this quick question and answer session.

Dan covers Clemson for Orange and White as part of Independent Mail, a branch of the USA TODAY Network. I worked with him at The Lantern while we were both students at Ohio State and consider him a terrific journalist and excellent source of football information. You can and should follow him on Twitter for up to day information on Clemson ahead of the New Year's Eve battle.

But enough with the sap stories. Let's get to the questions.

Eleven Warriors: Deshaun Watson said earlier this week he is the best player in the country. Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy, with Watson as runner-up. You saw both this year. Does Watson have an argument? He makes Clemson's offense tick — just how essential is he to what the Tigers do on that side of the ball?

Hope: My take: Jackson deserved to win the Heisman, but Watson is the best quarterback in college football. Jackson has had one of the most spectacular individual seasons in college football history. But if I had my choice of any player in college football to build a team around, I'd pick Watson.

A skilled passer and runner and a proven leader, Watson is typically at his best when the game is on the line. No player has done more to lead his team to either of the last two playoffs than Watson has for Clemson. The Tigers might not be in the Playoff with any other quarterback.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...nge-and-whites-dan-hope-on-all-things-clemson

 

[Gcashwell]

This! I have for a while thought the ACC is complete garbage with 2 really good teams. Now L'ville has gotten some talented coaches. And they look 'good'.
Now I think the question is: is the big ten really as good as people think. I hope that big ten defensive lines are just really good... or we are in for a painful game.

The only way the big 10 isn't as good as people think is if their back loaded schedules artificially inflate rankings.

They look good by the "eye test."

 

[Jaxbuck]

We played 4 teams with a pulse and we're taken to the limit by 3 of them. And Oklahoma feels like forever ago. On that note if you line up ttun, psu, Oklahoma and Wisconsin against FSU, l'ville, auburn and Pitt and I'd take the former in all 4. And we actually get to see 2 of them.

See the post I made about how each team did against their opponents averages.

OSU outperformed against the tougher schedule.

It's nearly worthless as a predictive measure but an interesting way to look at it none the less.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[OregonBuckeye]

This! I have for a while thought the ACC is complete garbage with 2 really good teams. Now L'ville has gotten some talented coaches. And they look 'good'.
Now I think the question is: is the big ten really as good as people think. I hope that big ten defensive lines are just really good... or we are in for a painful game.

Louisville hasn't looked good since October 1. I don't see any reason to downplay our competition. You say we played 4 teams with a "pulse" which is pretty misleading considering all 4 of those teams are currently ranked in the top 8. That's a pretty damn strong pulse. I would say teams like Tulsa, Indiana, and Nebraska had a "pulse" as well.

 

[gmen6981]

We are going to win so shut the fuck up everyone... HOLY [Mark May] WHERE'S THE TYLENOL

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

We are going to win so shut the fuck up everyone... HOLY [Mark May] WHERE'S THE TYLENOL

I think you mean Valium. Wait...that's for me. I'm in for a long week. It may be best for everyone to put me in an induced coma until Saturday..... This is going to be a LOOOONNNGG 7 days for me.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I think you mean Valium. Wait...that's for me. I'm in for a long week. It may be best for everyone to put me in an induced coma until Saturday..... This is going to be a LOOOONNNGG 7 days for me.

You should be thankful you are too young to have lived through the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

 

[UrbanBuckeye]

Does anyone but me think journalists & bloggers covering this game need to find more compelling headlines/openings/general topics than, "Ohio State/Clemson will face the best offense/defense they've seen all season?"

I know the well has been, for the most part, dry for the past 2 weeks. But, it's gotten very repetitive.


BTW....Hope you all are having a happy holiday! I'm at work.