The Clemson Tigers were the National Champion runners-up last season and need a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the National Championship for the second straight year. The Buckeyes enter play as the slight favorites, but don’t overlook a Clemson team lead by DeShaun Watson. All in all, this is a game between two elite offense and a pair of strong defenses. Whichever defense is able to slow down the others’ prolific offense will get the win.
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Fiesta Bowl Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State -3
Clemson +3
Over/Under 59
When Ohio State Has the Ball…
This is a very strong offense for Ohio State, but it’s not quite as strong as the one Clemson has. Still, it’s dangerous with J.T. Barrett throwing for 24 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He’s done an excellent job avoiding turnovers which could be big in a game with both teams as strong as they are defensively. Winning the turnover battle means more chances for the offense.
Meanwhile, in addition to Barrett, this Buckeyes team will turn to Curtis Samuel to be a huge weapon out of the backfield. Samuel is third to Mike Weber and Barrett in rushing yards. He’s rushing for 7.7 yards per carry and is the team leader in receptions and receiving yards. Overall, he’s got 1,526 total yards and 15 combined touchdowns.
In the end, this offense needs Barrett and Weber to go to win, but they need Samuel to be all over the field and a difficult matchup for the Clemson defense given his versatility.
Given the nature of these two teams, perhaps the biggest key when the Buckeyes have the ball is seeing how their offensive line stacks up with Clemson’s defensive front.
Barrett has been put in a few precarious positions throughout the season as the Ohio State line can struggle from time to time in their protection. Fortunately for Ohio State, the Buckeyes—and Barrett specifically—have been able to make it work, but Clemson’s defense is better than what Ohio State has faced to date and will provide a significant challenge. Look for the Tigers to win on the edge against the tackles and chase Barrett around.
While Barrett has the ability to run with the ball and is, by definition, a dual threat QB, if he’s constantly forced to move around to stay on his feet, he’ll look to force the ball in or to run despite a solid defensive presence around him and could be slowed.
When Clemson Has the Ball…
The Ohio State defense is strong, but the Clemson offense will still be able to score early and often.
The Tigers have one of the best offensive players in the nation in Watson as he’s thrown for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns. He’s also a threat to run, making him hard to take down in the back field. He’s rushed for 529 yards. Meanwhile, running back Wayne Gallman gives Watson a strong option on the ground aside from himself carrying it. Gallman has 1.002 yards and 15 scores. He’s averaging more than five yards per carry which is impressive considering the workload.
On top of the running game, the passing game is elite, too, as you can see by the yards Watson has thrown for this year. Of course, it’s not all sunshine and roses and Watson has thrown for 15 interceptions.
Ohio State has an impressive 16 turnover margin, turning the ball over just nine times all season while Clemson has turned the ball over 24 times, giving the Tigers a net turnover margin at exactly zero.
The X Factor
Ohio State has a coach that’s led a team to a national title on multiple occasions. He knows what it takes and will make the right calls when the game is on the line, but he’s also working with a much younger team with less experience compared to a Clemson squad that was in the National Championship finals a season ago.
There’s no doubt this Tigers team will be motivated to get back to the title game and have a better showing than it did a season ago. It’s also possible that there could be a bit of a holdover from last season’s tough finish given this is much the same team.
As for as actual on the field X-Factors, look to Ray-Ray McCloud to give the Tigers a real edge on special teams while Ohio State’s special teams play is likely what kept them out of the Big Ten Title game.
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