Sugar Bowl Preview: No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 2 Clemson Tigers
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
For the second year in a row, the Buckeyes and Tigers will clash in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Last year Clemson took down Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl then went on to lose to LSU in the national title game. This year’s chapter of the rivalry will be played in the second oldest bowl game in New Orleans, The Sugar Bowl, which has been played since 1935. Ohio State will be making their sixth appearance in this historic game with wins coming in 1999, 2011, and 2015. Clemson is 0-2 in their Sugar Bowl appearances with losses against LSU in 1959 and Alabama in 2018.
Ohio State is coming into this game undefeated at 6-0 with many people doubting they would earn a spot in the playoff due to the total number of games played. The Buckeyes most notable wins came against Indiana (42-35) on Nov. 21 and in the Big Ten Championship Game when they took down Northwestern (22-10).
Clemson is coming into this game 10-1 overall and 8-1 in conference play. The Tigers only slip up came at Notre Dame, a 47-40 double overtime loss on Nov. 7. During that contest, star quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed the game due to COVID-19. Clemson then got their revenge on the Fighting Irish in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 19 when they won 34-10.
It will be exciting to watch if Clemson can defeat the Buckeyes a second year in a row in the semifinals or will Ohio State take down the Tigers, silence their doubters and move on to the championship game.
No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 2 Clemson Tigers
Date: Friday, January 1, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN
Spread: Clemson -7.5
Ohio State Overview
Offense
The Buckeyes have a balanced offense averaging 253.5 passing yards and 275.7 rushing yards scoring on average 42.5 points a game. The leader of the offense is junior quarterback Justin Fields. Fields has thrown for 1,521 yards with 15 touchdowns while completing 72.6 percent of his passes. The dual-threat has chipped in 274 more yards and five more scores on the ground.
Ohio State QB Justin Fields
Field’s two favorite targets are sophomore wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who has caught 38 passes for 621 yards and five touchdowns, and junior wide receiver Chris Olave, who has 36 receptions for 528 yards and also has five receiving touchdowns. Ohio State’s leading rusher is senior running back Trey Sermon who has 675 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 84 carries.
Defense
Opponents are scoring 21 points per game on Ohio State off an average of 96.7 rushing yards and 261.3 passing yards. Senior linebacker Pete Werner leads the team with 37 total tackles including 2.5 for a loss, one sack, and two forced fumbles. Senior cornerback Shaun Wade leads the team with two interceptions and three pass breakups to go along with 21 total tackles.
The forces on the defensive line are junior defensive tackle Tommy Togiai who has 19 total tackles including 3.5 for a loss and three sacks and senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper who has 20 total tackles including 2.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and one pass breakup.
Clemson Overview
Offense
The Tigers score a whopping 44.9 points and average 163.8 rushing yards and 343.8 passing yards per matchup. The leader of this explosive offense is junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Heisman finalist has thrown for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding an additional 317 yards and seven more scores on the ground.
Clemson’s leading rusher is senior running back Travis Etienne, who has 882 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 158 attempts while also catching 44 passes for 524 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. The leading receiver is senior wide receiver Amari Rodgers. Rodgers has snagged 69 passes for 966 yards and seven touchdowns. Another playmaker is senior receiver Cornell Powell, who has caught 45 balls for 743 yards and five touchdowns.
Defense
Clemson gives up just 17.5 points a game while allowing just under 100 rushing yards and 198.6 passing yards to their opponents. The Tigers leading tackler is senior linebacker Baylon Spector who has 67 total tackles including 9.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Senior safety Nolan Turner leads the team with three interceptions to go along with his 61 total tackles including six for a loss and three pass breakups. The monster on the defensive line is freshman defensive end Myles Murphy who has 45 total tackles including 10.5 for a loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Analysis
Clemson has a better offense with more playmakers. If they can get out to a fast start, then Ohio State will struggle to keep up. The only way Ohio State can win is if they can control the clock on offense and keep Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers offense on the sidelines.
The key matchup will Clemson’s defense against the Buckeye offense. Look for this game to go back and forth but ultimately the Tigers will move on as their offense is just too much for the Buckeye’s defense.
Final Score Prediction: Clemson 38, Ohio State 28
Photo credit: NBC News; Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
Photo credit: Toledo Blade; Ohio State QB Justin Fields