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

[Hstead]

It will most likely come down to our DBs. No one has seem to have had a great deal of success via the ground against the Bullets. I have quite a bit of confidence in Latttimore and Conley, and of course Hooker will probably take one away. My concern is with Williams in the slot vs Webb. That might be a tough match up for us.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

It will most likely come down to our DBs. No one has seem to have had a great deal of success via the ground against the Bullets. I have quite a bit of confidence in Latttimore and Conley, and of course Hooker will probably take one away. My concern is with Williams in the slot vs Webb. That might be a tough match up for us.

I imagine they'll move Conley to the slot if that's where Williams lines up.

I disagree with you though. It's going to come down to pass protection, particularly Jordan and Prince.

 

[redguard117]

More I think about it, the more I think the Buckeyes win this one pretty comfortably. I could easily see us dropping 40 on Clemson's helter-skelter defense while our defense hasn't given up 30 points all year. We probably give up a lot of yards but not a lot of points. I'm thinking a 42-24 type of game.

I want to agree, but did you watch the NC last year? When Watson is on, he's the best player in CFB. Alabama was the most dominant defense in the country last year and even they couldn't slow him down. It took literally one of the best disguised and executed onside kicks I've seen, and a whole lot of luck, for them to come out on top.

That said, Watson has not played up to that level this year. Hopefully, that trend continues. Unfortunately, the playoffs tend to bring out the best in players. Again, hopefully they do the same for JT.

I think this game is a toss up. It really depends on which QB shows up for each team. If both DeShaun and JT play at their best, it will be a classic. If one or the other is off (and they have both been highly streaky this year), then it could be a blowout.

Personally, I do think Clemson has the advantage due to the fact that they simply have much more experienced talent, and because their DL matches up very favorably against our very young OL.

That all said - never count out Urban. If we beat Clemson, we match up well against Alabama and our OL will have proven itself under the crucible of fire.

 

[buckeyebri]

Our offense isn't competent? It's inconsistent, sure, but nothing like the clown show run by appleby.

Sure it is inconsistent and sometimes its incompetent as well. You never know which OCs are going to show up. If they put the offense out that we did against P$U, MSU, or the first 3 qtrs of meatchicken, that offense wouldn't have fared any better than the shit show that the Gators threw at Alabama.

 

[cmstophe]

I want to agree, but did you watch the NC last year? When Watson is on, he's the best player in CFB. Alabama was the most dominant defense in the country last year and even they couldn't slow him down. It took literally one of the best disguised and executed onside kicks I've seen, and a whole lot of luck, for them to come out on top.

That said, Watson has not played up to that level this year. Hopefully, that trend continues. Unfortunately, the playoffs tend to bring out the best in players. Again, hopefully they do the same for JT.

I think this game is a toss up. It really depends on which QB shows up for each team. If both DeShaun and JT play at their best, it will be a classic. If one or the other is off (and they have both been highly streaky this year), then it could be a blowout.

Personally, I do think Clemson has the advantage due to the fact that they simply have much more experienced talent, and because their DL matches up very favorably against our very young OL.

That all said - never count out Urban. If we beat Clemson, we match up well against Alabama and our OL will have proven itself under the crucible of fire.

This is where I come out on it.

Not to echo, but Deshaun Watson is just an absolutely electric player. If he's "on" (sports cliche #1), he's borderline unstoppable. Without him, that team is so...average. I could easily make a case that he is the best player in college football, even if he isn't having the best year. The thing that makes me think Ohio State has a solid shot in this game is is he and the Clemson offense often do not perform to their potential. If the Buckeyes take one sniff and sense that, they will shut the Tigers down- or at least, hold them under 30, which gives us a great chance to win.

It's just a huge question, which Tigers team shows up? Which is hysterical, if you think about it, because they're probably asking, "Which Buckeyes team shows up?" Should be fascinating. I do think shots down field will be there, as they have been vs Clemson's secondary ALL. YEAR. LONG. If JT can't take advantage of them (and our WRs cant get open), forget it. The time is now for JT and this corps to show what they're made of.

 

[Systems_id]

I want to agree, but did you watch the NC last year? When Watson is on, he's the best player in CFB. Alabama was the most dominant defense in the country last year and even they couldn't slow him down. It took literally one of the best disguised and executed onside kicks I've seen, and a whole lot of luck, for them to come out on top.

That said, Watson has not played up to that level this year. Hopefully, that trend continues. Unfortunately, the playoffs tend to bring out the best in players. Again, hopefully they do the same for JT.

I think this game is a toss up. It really depends on which QB shows up for each team. If both DeShaun and JT play at their best, it will be a classic. If one or the other is off (and they have both been highly streaky this year), then it could be a blowout.

Personally, I do think Clemson has the advantage due to the fact that they simply have much more experienced talent, and because their DL matches up very favorably against our very young OL.

That all said - never count out Urban. If we beat Clemson, we match up well against Alabama and our OL will have proven itself under the crucible of fire.

If you watched Alabama that year, Watson lighting them up wouldn't have surprised you. The Tide faced two good QBs all year one of them lit them up. The other didn't have the horses. There's also the fact that this might be the best secondary Urban has ever had and, overall, Ohio State matches up defensively much, MUCH better than Alabama. Personally I could see it turning out like the 2009 Fiesta Bowl where Colt McCoy threw for a ton of yards but didn't score a lot of points.

I do think Watson is a beast but he and that offense has just been way too inconsistent. Plus, like I said before, Clemson hasn't faced a defense as good as OSU's all year while OSU stymied a more balanced attack earlier in the year.

 

[scarletngray]

Some pre-game thoughts:
We have faced a number of Defenses that are comparable to or better than Clemson.
TTUN, PSU, WISKY. Oklahoma isn't that shabby. But Clemson has not faced a Defense as good as ours. We are definitely a step up to what they have faced thus far.

Both teams have played against some pretty talented Offenses. But when both OSU and Clemson are clicking they are among the best in CFB. CLemson is clearly the most explosive Offense we will have faced. The talent seems equal on Offense and so game plan and execution will be key. Who can get the better match ups? The key to an OSU victory is to make Clemson one dimensional.

 

[Jaxbuck]

One area to keep an eye on as it's a strength against not-so-strength kind of thing

OSU has had trouble getting there with the pass rush, Clemson has a very good OL who's strength is pass pro on standard pass downs

I do not like the idea of Watson having time to throw

 

[redguard117]

If you watched Alabama that year, Watson lighting them up wouldn't have surprised you. The Tide faced two good QBs all year one of them lit them up. The other didn't have the horses. There's also the fact that this might be the best secondary Urban has ever had and, overall, Ohio State matches up defensively much, MUCH better than Alabama. Personally I could see it turning out like the 2009 Fiesta Bowl where Colt McCoy threw for a ton of yards but didn't score a lot of points.

I do think Watson is a beast but he and that offense has just been way too inconsistent. Plus, like I said before, Clemson hasn't faced a defense as good as OSU's all year while OSU stymied a more balanced attack earlier in the year.

Fair enough. I still think Alabama had a top notch defense last year. Heck, they blanked MSU and we made Connor Cook, Gerald Holmes and LJ Scott look like Heisman contenders at points. I hope your optimism is correct.

Another thing that concerns me is that we seem to have struggled this year along the interior of the DLine.

LJ Scott ran for 160 yds and averaged 8.4 ypc against us.
Corey Clement ran for 164 and averaged 6.6 while his teammate Peavy ran for 70 and averaged 11.7
Saquon Barkley ran 99 and averaged 8.3.
It seems like in most of the games that we really struggled in, besides The Game, we also struggled to defend the run game. That will definitely be tested by Watson (and if we get to that point) by the Alabama juggernaut.

Side note - I strongly dislike Alabama, but you have to respect the hell out of their defense. They gave up 29 rushing yards total in the Cotton Bowl last year - MSU averaged 1.1 YPC.

 

[cincibuck]

I want to agree, but did you watch the NC last year? When Watson is on, he's the best player in CFB. Alabama was the most dominant defense in the country last year and even they couldn't slow him down. It took literally one of the best disguised and executed onside kicks I've seen, and a whole lot of luck, for them to come out on top.

That said, Watson has not played up to that level this year. Hopefully, that trend continues. Unfortunately, the playoffs tend to bring out the best in players. Again, hopefully they do the same for JT.

I think this game is a toss up. It really depends on which QB shows up for each team. If both DeShaun and JT play at their best, it will be a classic. If one or the other is off (and they have both been highly streaky this year), then it could be a blowout.

Personally, I do think Clemson has the advantage due to the fact that they simply have much more experienced talent, and because their DL matches up very favorably against our very young OL.

That all said - never count out Urban. If we beat Clemson, we match up well against Alabama and our OL will have proven itself under the crucible of fire.

If the Bucks put an end next to Prince, they'll be OK. If they continue to insist that he can take on a DE split out wide against him, they're fucked.

 

[Hstead]

I agree with everything stated so far, but something else that will be critical that I haven't seen mentioned will be field position and special teams. Ichigan helped themselves tremendously against us winning the field position battle. We have the better punter. Everything else needs to step up to win the third phase of the game. Making Watson go the length of the field gives our defense a major edge.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

Fair enough. I still think Alabama had a top notch defense last year. Heck, they blanked MSU and we made Connor Cook, Gerald Holmes and LJ Scott look like Heisman contenders at points. I hope your optimism is correct.

Another thing that concerns me is that we seem to have struggled this year along the interior of the DLine.

LJ Scott ran for 160 yds and averaged 8.4 ypc against us.
Corey Clement ran for 164 and averaged 6.6 while his teammate Peavy ran for 70 and averaged 11.7
Saquon Barkley ran 99 and averaged 8.3.
It seems like in most of the games that we really struggled in, besides The Game, we also struggled to defend the run game. That will definitely be tested by Watson (and if we get to that point) by the Alabama juggernaut.

Side note - I strongly dislike Alabama, but you have to respect the hell out of their defense. They gave up 29 rushing yards total in the Cotton Bowl last year - MSU averaged 1.1 YPC.

Conner cook didn't play last year vs the bucks... it was O'Conner and whoever his backup is...

 

[redguard117]

Conner cook didn't play last year vs the bucks... it was O'Conner and whoever his backup is...

Good catch. I've tried my best to block that game from my memory. Especially given how our former Buckeyes are doing in the NFL this year

 

[Steve19]

Something I found interesting in the NCAA stats is that Ohio State averages 34 minutes a game with the ball. I'm inclined to discount the equivalent NCAA rankings on defense because of the SOS issue.

Massey computer ratings have the Clemson SOS ranking at #32 and Ohio State at #5. He ranks Clemson at #6 and #21 on offense and defense, respectively. Ohio State at #12 and #8. He's right about 80% of the time and calls this as a 68% Ohio State win.

I think this game comes down to three issues:

The passing game. Slowing down Clemson and getting at least one pick. Barrett hitting at least two passes each half greater than thirty five yards down field, to keep Clemson from crowding the LOS.

The running game. Ohio State establishing the running game, controlling the clock, and keeping Clemson's offense on the sideline.

Special teams play. Winning the field position game every bit as convincingly as TSUN did against Ohio State this year.

 

[bukIpower]

Something I found interesting in the NCAA stats is that Ohio State averages 34 minutes a game with the ball. I'm inclined to discount the equivalent NCAA rankings on defense because of the SOS issue.

Massey computer ratings have the Clemson SOS ranking at #32 and Ohio State at #5. He ranks Clemson at #6 and #21 on offense and defense, respectively. Ohio State at #12 and #8. He's right about 80% of the time and calls this as a 68% Ohio State win.

I think this game comes down to three issues:

The passing game. Slowing down Clemson and getting at least one pick. Barrett hitting at least two passes each half greater than thirty five yards down field, to keep Clemson from crowding the LOS.

The running game. Ohio State establishing the running game, controlling the clock, and keeping Clemson's offense on the sideline.

Special teams play. Winning the field position game every bit as convincingly as TSUN did against Ohio State this year.

Keeping them off the field will be huge... if we can do that and then pin them deep I like our odds