Ohio State has to get out to a good start
Clemson vs. Ohio State Playoff It will start 28-12 2019 8pm et time
The Fiesta Bowl is expected to be the tighter of two College Football Play off semifinals because of the similar strengths of the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/bpHGAXsDtq— epic IT (@epicIT6) December 26, 2019
The start is key in this one. The Buckeyes don’t even have to get out to a fast start per say, just a good one. By that, I mean Ohio State has to limit mistakes early. Calm those nerves, fall back on the preparation and go out and play loose.
If you go back to 2016 in the desert, the Buckeyes actually had a chance to go up on Clemson early. The secondary intercepted a pass in great field position, but then a field goal was missed. Then another field goal was missed later. There was also a key injury to the offensive line that resulted in a tackle for loss that stalled a drive as well.
Ohio State has to move the ball a little, but more importantly, it has to show that it can provide some resistance to a dynamic Clemson attack on offense. It can be blow for blow, it just can’t dig a hole like what happened against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game.
The Buckeyes were able to dig out of that one because talent eventually took over, but a hole in the desert would have dire consequences against this team. Play with the Tigers and believe. From there, it’s a ballgame.