We are just a couple of days from Ohio State playing Clemson in a rematch of last year’s Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal. This time, it’s set to take place in the Sugar Bowl as another semifinal. As we get ready for the game, there are some key matchups we’ll be taking a look at. One of those is in the passing game when the Buckeyes are on offense.
After a rough start to his season, Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick has gone from being on Dabo Swinney’s bad side, being sat down in the opener, to Swinney’s good side. Kendrick is a converted wide receiver who now plays outside corner for the Clemson Tigers and plays it really well. Kendrick is a smart player who learns quickly from mistakes and has superb ball skills.
On the opposite side for the Ohio State Buckeyes will be wide receiver Chris Olave. He is a smooth route runner who breaks into and out of routes quickly and efficiently. A natural hands catcher, Olave also has great ball skills and does well to get Justin Fields opportunities to throw his way.
To say that he was missed against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game would be an understatement. Now, he is reportedly back.
This matchup will likely start at the line of scrimmage where getting off on press coverage will probably be the key to who wins each rep. Kendrick gets his hand out in front of his body and can pull himself a little off balance at times. If Olave, who weighs less than Kendrick, can bully Kendrick on the line, he should be able to get a good release into his route to create separation.
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Once in the route, Olave has the upper hand as Kendrick can get a little sloppy in his hip turn to run with receivers. However, Kendrick has fantastic closing speed and could make up any ground lost quickly. It will require Justin Fields to hit Olave earlier in a route as opposed to hoping he remains open for longer durations.
On contested catches, it will be a little bit of a 50/50 situation where both have the ball skills to get to the football. Fields will have to place the ball where only Olave has a chance of catching the ball or Kendrick can and will make Fields pay. Olave should be able to beat Kendrick more often than not if he keeps his routes crisp and gives Fields an open window.
Ohio State could decide to roll Garrett Wilson over to Kendrick if Clemson does play more press coverage. Wilson is a little more physical than Olave and if he gets off fast enough has more speed to counter Kendrick’s ability to make up ground. If Clemson plays zone, then keeping Olave on Kendrick makes more sense. Kendrick can drift a little in zone which would let Olave find open spaces in the zone a little easier with his route running.
Olave versus Kendrick is a key matchup for Ohio State. Clemson will probably have to roll safety coverage to Olave’s side which should help Wilson get open over the top. Should Clemson roll coverage to Wilson, Olave has to find the soft spots and sit down. It will be up to Ryan Day and his staff to watch and take advantage as the game wears on.
But, it should be there as long as everyone is doing their job.
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