Ohio State vs. Clemson, Fiesta Bowl 2019: Five keys to help you pick the Buckeyes vs. Tigers game – CBS Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz.– There appears to be a hint of a competition in the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal. The last time these teams fulfilled, it remained in this extremely place three years ago in the last Fiesta Bowl semifinal.

Clemson won 31-0 on its method to its very first championship game. In 2014, Tajh Boyd threw 5 touchdown passes versus the Buckeyes in a 40-35 Orange Bowl win. Overall, the Tigers have won all 3 meetings between these teams all-time.

In reaching the top of the

college football world this years, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 2-0 against Ohio State. 3 in a row makes it more than a trend. It would have to be an issue in Columbus, Ohio.

You see, they’re starting to whisper that it has been all of … 5 years … given that Ohio State’s last national title. In either case, the result must be an outlier. The 10 previous CFP semifinals have actually been

decided by approximately 21 points. This one is anticipated decrease to the wire. Clemson enters as a 2.5-point favorite. The Tigers have broken enough Buckeye hearts. Will the trend continue? Here are 5 things

3. Clemson has to score initially … because, when it does, it wins. Almost constantly. When putting the first points on the board, the Tigers have actually won 50 in a row. That’s more than a curious fact. While that probably shouldn’t be a surprise offered the program’s ascension to dominance, it is something to see in a game that is expected to be close.

It’s likewise a sign that Clemson rarely gets punch back from its challengers. What occurs if, say, Ohio State goes out to an early 10-0 lead? We simply have not seen the Tigers in a crisis circumstance against an elite program because early last season. (

North Carolina isn’t an elite program. Both playoff wins last year came over a combined 55 points.)

4. Playing the disrespect card: Clemson has bought into coach Dabo Swinney’s contention that it hasn’t been properly assessed this season. Let’s face it. It’s difficult to judge Clemson in ACC play. By some metrics, the conference was ranked below the Pac-12 and the AAC. The Tigers have won their last 28 games by approximately 33.3 points. They are 54-2 in their last 56 ACC video games. It’s one thing speaking about it. It’s another using that inspiration. Ohio State isn’t tricked.

5. The

Chase Young Impact: The nation’s best defender hasn’t been the country’s best protector recently. I asked Ohio State’s star protective end how he keeps NFL riches out of his head at this point. “I still work to finish,” Young told me. “We work to end up. We can’t actually look into the future until you have the job at hand.”

The reality stays that Young is most likely going to be the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the upcoming

NFL Draft. Nevertheless, his last two video games have not been fantastic: no takes on against Michigan, 1.5 deals with for loss against Wisconsin. No sacks because Nov. 23.

“It’s a regard thing,” Young said. “If you enjoy the video game(s), I was getting double and triple teamed every play. It definitely offers my end on the other side a chance to make a play.”

Young can alter a video game with his presence. If Lawrence is permitted time to set his feet and look downfield, he’ll be the one altering the video game.

to see in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday night. 1. Top-tier quarterback battle: Let’s not complicate things. This game comes down to the quarterbacks

. Ohio State protective organizer Jeff Hafley cut to the chase this week. “You wish to talk about 2 special quarterbacks,”he stated.”This is the future of the NFL playing in this video game.”Never ever mind both Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields have another year of eligibility left prior to they go

to the NFL. Something needs to offer. We’re talking two elite quarterbacks against two elite defenses. Fields has a 40-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio; that may have never ever been achieved prior to. After a sluggish start, Lawrence has not thrown an interception in the 2nd half of the season. The first defense to slow down one of these star QBs gets a jump on what figures to be a tight game. Benefit, Clemson: Fields exposed Tuesday he is “80-85 percent”24 days after reinjuring a sprained MCL

in the Michigan game. That needs to

be concerning to Ohio State. We understand this because, at Thursday’s media day, Fields suddenly stated he couldn’t talk about his injury.

2. Top-tier running back fight: Sensing a pattern here? J.K. Dobbins has nearly quietly become the No. 2 rush in Ohio State history. When you bring the ball 100 times for 583 backyards in your last three games, that is bound to occur. Ohio State runs to establish the pass. Don’t anticipate that to alter against Clemson. As efficient as Fields has been, he needs to have Dobbins churning out backyards behind OSU’s stellar offending line in order for its spread and RPOs to work.

“There is a point where you must punch at your opponent’s head. We do and try that,” Dobbins said laughing. “We stress the point where you need to punch. That’s where we try to punch every time.”

Thanks to Dobbins, Ohio State remains in the leading 10 nationally in runs of a minimum of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards.

Clemson types are still upset

Travis Etienne wasn’t even a Doak Walker Award finalist. In truth, Clemson was the only team not represented amongst the Heisman Trophy finalists. Which running back is much better? Etienne was down a little in rushing backyards year-over-year (1,658 to 1,500), however he has never been more efficient, balancing more than 8.2 lawns per rush and producing practically 1,800 yards from scrimmage.

Who will win the Fiesta Bowl in between Clemson and Ohio State, and which side of the spread strikes in more than 50 percent of simulations?

Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to leap on Saturday, all from the advanced model that is up practically $4,000 on its premier picks.

… given that Ohio State’s last national title. J.K. Dobbins has nearly silently end up being the No. 2 rusher in Ohio State history. Ohio State runs to set up the pass. What takes place if, state, Ohio State gets out to an early 10-0 lead? I asked Ohio State’s star protective end how he keeps NFL riches out of his head at this point.

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