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

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Jake said:
Welp, the Buckeyes might as well just fly home tomorrow. :roll1:

5 reasons Clemson will crush Ohio State on its way to the national championship game

http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...ons-122816?cmpid=[Zeke]:-sports-CQ-RSS-[Zeke]
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Wrong with reason #1 ...

So much of the focus is on the Buckeyes' loaded schedule, which includes wins over Michigan, Wisconsin and Oklahoma. But many don’t realize that the Tigers' resume is just as impressive. Overall, Clemson played more bowl-eligible teams than Ohio State (11, compared to nine) and more teams that finished in the Top 25 (four, compared to three)

tOSU played OU, UM, UW & PSU. (five if you count Nebraska's inclusion in the AP and Coaches Polls)
 
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On paper, Clemson's dline should give our offensive line problems.

Also on paper, Clemson's offense is a matchup nightmare.

That's where motivation comes in, and where Urban Meyer really excels.

No one improves more than young players during bowl practice, so you hope for some big steps from Jordan and Prince; and I think it's a safe bet that the entire unit plays with a chip on its shoulder after being questioned and cited as a weakness. Additionally, I think Michigan's front 7 is as good as Clemson's and Bama's--- and while the OL did struggle at times in that game, it's good prep and sets the expectations in the right place (versus, say, Washington, who has no clue what playing against Bama's dline is going to be like).

Finally, a motivated and prepared DeShaun Watson is dangerous indeed; but is he concerned about his final two games or his NFL draft stock?

If our oline comes out with their hair on fire and Watson isn't sharp, I feel great about OSU in the game.

If not, it will be a dogfight.
 
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So, working from home, I don't necessarily leave the house each day. I also have 2,200 songs on the iPod in my car, which is set to shuffle. The odds of ever getting a certain song you want to hear during any given trip are slim. That said, of all songs, this one came on in the car today...



Coincidence?
 
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Buckeye86 said:
On paper, Clemson's dline should give our offensive line problems.

Also on paper, Clemson's offense is a matchup nightmare.

That's where motivation comes in, and where Urban Meyer really excels.

No one improves more than young players during bowl practice, so you hope for some big steps from Jordan and Prince; and I think it's a safe bet that the entire unit plays with a chip on its shoulder after being questioned and cited as a weakness. Additionally, I think Michigan's front 7 is as good as Clemson's and Bama's--- and while the OL did struggle at times in that game, it's good prep and sets the expectations in the right place (versus, say, Washington, who has no clue what playing against Bama's dline is going to be like).

Finally, a motivated and prepared DeShaun Watson is dangerous indeed; but is he concerned about his final two games or his NFL draft stock?

If our oline comes out with their hair on fire and Watson isn't sharp, I feel great about OSU in the game.

If not, it will be a dogfight.
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Everyone keeps saying their front is better then Michigans based on what? I'm assuming it's because they have 3 players who weigh 300 because it's not rankings.

Rush Defense? Edge scum.
Pass Defense? Edge scum.
Total Defense? Edge scum.
Depth? Edge Scum handily.
Sacks? Overall Clemson by 2 but Scum dline has more sacks.

I'm not calling you out. However I've heard this theme all of December that Clemson has the best front we will have seen all year. That's just not true. Are they good? Absolutely. Will they be one of the best we have played. Certainly. Are they the best we will have played? Hell no.
 
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At DL, Clemson has a number of elite players. I'm not sure Michigan has any elite DL, Taco is the closest. Gary may be one day but isn't today. It's a really good front with lots of NFL prospects but no Lawrence or Wilkins types in my imo.

When discussing fronts, which include LBs (where I believe Clemson is less elite ), I think both units take a step back. You can eat peppers alive by throwing or running right at him. McCray is good, Gedeon is alright. Clemson seems to be pretty inconsistent on defense in stark opposition to Michigan.
 
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bukIpower said:
Everyone keeps saying their front is better then Michigans based on what? I'm assuming it's because they have 3 players who weigh 300 because it's not rankings.

Rush Defense? Edge scum.
Pass Defense? Edge scum.
Total Defense? Edge scum.
Depth? Edge Scum handily.
Sacks? Overall Clemson by 2 but Scum dline has more sacks.

I'm not calling you out. However I've heard this theme all of December that Clemson has the best front we will have seen all year. That's just not true. Are they good? Absolutely. Will they be one of the best we have played. Certainly. Are they the best we will have played? Hell no.
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You seem to think I said the exact opposite of what I said.

Edit: I see it now- is and isn't are relatively close and I can see how a quick read would get it mixed up (although the context should have made it clear).

I think Michigan's front 7 is as good as Clemson's and Bama's and prepared OSU's OL well for what to expect in the playoffs.
 
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jwinslow said:
Clemson seems to be pretty inconsistent on defense in stark opposition to Michigan.
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They played Louisville, VT, Pitt and FSU which are all comparable offenses to OSU. They gave up 35+ points to all of them and didn't keep any of them far off their season averages at all.

This isn't the '85 Bears we are talking about here
 
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Jaxbuck said:
They played Louisville, VT, Pitt and FSU which are all comparable offenses to OSU. They gave up 35+ points to all of them and didn't keep any of them far off their season averages at all.

This isn't the '85 Bears we are talking about here
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What they can do to Prince and Jordan (and frankly price is not perfect ) is troubling. How they can put OSU behind the downs is troubling.

I do think they present an easier challenge for Barrett the passer though, which is a welcome change. They also are considerably less challenging than the bammer line that awaits them afterwards.
 
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jwinslow said:
What they can do to Prince and Jordan (and frankly price is not perfect ) is troubling. How they can put OSU behind the downs is troubling.

I do think they present an easier challenge for Barrett the passer though, which is a welcome change. They also are considerably less challenging than the bammer line that awaits them afterwards.
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If we're relying on 7 step drops and 15+ yard patterns we're clearly fucked.

Hopefully the coaching staff put together a scheme that makes a little more sense than that given the weaknesses and strengths of both units.
 
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Like this matchup for the good guys. A team that has holes in its defense and tries to win primarily through the passing game on offense is not a team that matches up particularly well with this Ohio State team. Now a team like Alabama on the other hand...
 
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jwinslow said:
What they can do to Prince and Jordan (and frankly price is not perfect ) is troubling. How they can put OSU behind the downs is troubling.

I do think they present an easier challenge for Barrett the passer though, which is a welcome change. They also are considerably less challenging than the bammer line that awaits them afterwards.
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Agreed

If OSU spends the game in obvious passing downs, OSU is in trouble

If OSU runs the ball and stays out of obvious passing downs, Clemson is in trouble

Pitt averaged 4.7 ypc
FSU 5.8 ypc
UL 5.0 ypc and that wasn't all just Jackson. The RB's combined for 5.7 ypc on 21 attempts

VT was the only comparable offense that didn't have a big day running but they threw for over 400 yards.

Again, none of this is predictive but it paints a pretty clear picture that despite the talent along the DL and the genius of Venables, the Clemson D has given up a lot of yards and points to the offenses most like what they will see Saturday night.
 
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