It’s our latest Buckeye Battle Cry and we’re talking Fiesta Bowl against Clemson. What makes this game more winnable for Ohio State?
Ohio State has yet to crack the Clemson code. There’s only three meetings between the two programs, but the Buckeyes have yet to breakthrough, losing in 1978 in the infamous Woody punch game, in 2013 at the Orange Bowl, and then again in 2016 in the now infamous 31-0 turd that resulted in a lot of assistant coaching changes.
It’s a small sample size, but there’s many Ohio State fans a little apprehensive about the prospects of laying another egg against a program clearly at the top of the college football world right now. The Buckeyes are also close to the pinnacle, but Clemson has two national titles in three years, and are the reigning champs after administering a public flogging to big, bad Alabama in last year’s national title game.
So, we decided to ask ourselves what makes this year different. Can we talk Ohio State fans off the ledge just a bit by providing reason why the Buckeyes might have a better shot at slaying the Tigers on December 28.
Ohio State favored over Clemson according to ESPN's FPI Matchup Predictor https://t.co/YncD7p0Ti9
Ohio State may be the underdog according odds makers, but per ESPN’s FPI Matchup Predictor, it’s favored to beat Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
Well, not everyone believes Clemson will beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Just most everyone. Despite the avalanche of media analysts and websites predicting the Buckeyes’ inevitable defeat at the hands of the defending national champions, we found one metric that actually favors the Big Ten champions.
According to ESPN’s FPI matchup predictor, it’s not Clemson that has the best chance to win, but rather Ohio State. In fact, it gives the scarlet and gray a 54% chance at winning the Fiesta Bowl once all the confetti falls in the desert night on December 28.
So why does the FPI like Ohio State? Because once all the game metrics and play had time to roll into the big, bad machine that analyzes all the data, the Buckeyes broke records for some of the metrics used to determine just how good a team is. So, you’re seeing a carryover.
Even though they fell to the No. 2 seed, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the best chance to win the national title according to FPI (35%).
Of course, this is all just on paper, and we could go on and on about how flawed ESPN’s measurements are (it had Ohio State outside the top ten preseason), but it’s still a nod to how dominant this year’s OSU team has been.
Now it’s all about putting all those analytics to work when the rubber pellets meet the desert air.
Ohio State stars discuss not being No. 1 in the College Football Playoff and having to play Clemson
ATLANTA-
Sunday, it was announced that the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes would not be the No. 1 seed in this year’s College Football Playoff.
Despite rallying to beat Wisconsin 34-21 in Indianapolis after big-time wins over Penn State and Michigan, the Buckeyes fell behind LSU in the final bracket list and now face No. 3 Clemson.
As impressive as LSU’s resume is right now, many felt Ohio State deserved the top seed in the playoff with its full-season portfolio.
On Wednesday, Buckeyes Wire was able to speak with running back JK Dobbins, defensive end Chase Young and cornerback Jeff Okudah before the Home Depot College Football Awards in Atlanta.
Did being ranked No. 2 put a chip on the players’ shoulders? Was there any added motivation to make a statement to the committee? How about the task of facing the reigning national champions in Phoenix?
Here’s what the first team All-Big Ten cornerback had to say.
“I think it’s really exciting to be number two, it’s really the matchup against Clemson and I’m excited to see how it plays out,” said Okudah.
The junior cornerback projected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft is excited to play the defending champs, as are the rest of the Buckeyes.
“We always want to be a number one seed seed and I feel like we earned it, but we’ve gotta roll with the punches thrown, so we’ll play Clemson and it’ll be a good game.”
How did the most feared defender in college football view the decision?
“We’re just blessed, happy to have the opportunity to be in the College Football Playoff. Regardless if you are one, two, three or four, you’re going to have to play a great team regardless, so we’re just thankful for the opportunity,” said Young.
You’ve heard from two of Ohio State’s best defensive players, but what about JK Dobbins? The junior running back mentioned motivation, but noted the Buckeyes are always out for blood.
“We always have a chip on our shoulder because we always feel like we have something to prove to people, so we’re going to go in with a chip on our shoulder.”
Ohio State will collect a plethora of awards over the next few nights before turning its attention to Clemson and the College Football Playoff. As for now, it’s time to regroup and recharge, then get back on the gridiron.
The Home Depot College Football Awards will air live on ESPN at 7:00 pm Thursday. Make sure to tune in to see your favorite Buckeyes.
Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma are the obvious choices. But who else had a great decade in the 2010s in college football?
The decade is coming to a close. A good time to see what schools accomplished what on the gridiron and where they ranked.
25. Texas A&M (84-46)
Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Aggies brought us one of the most exciting players of the decade in Johnny Manziel. Not that it is as big a deal anymore, but they did make a bowl in every season. They are 5-4 in postseason games in the 2010s and have a Texas Bowl appearance upcoming. Texas A&M for all its success is on its third coach, Jimbo Fisher, of the decade.
Dabo Swinney and Ryan Day held a press-conference upon selection to the Fiesta Bowl. Here’s what the Clemson head man said about Ohio State.
Ohio State and Clemson will be facing off in the Fiesta Bowl as one of the two semifinal matchups of the College Football Playoff. Neither team is a stranger to all the playoff fun that was started just a few years ago. Ohio State won the inaugural event at the end of the 2014 season, and has been selected three out of the six years.
Clemson on the other hand, has won two national championships out of four tries, and is the reigning national champions from the 2018 season.
Needless to say, it’s two of the programs that have been on top of the college football world, and only one of them will be moving on after the titanic struggle in the desert night on December 28.
To whet your appetite, the two head coaches held a joint press conference earlier in the week to provide an initial preview of the event. Both Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Clemson head man Dabo Swinney had the utmost respect for each program and was very complimentary in their comments toward the other.
In case you missed all that was said, we have the complete transcript for you thanks to what the Fiesta Bowl put together after the press conference was over. The comments appear in their entirety in the following. Click through and enjoy.
Breaking down the times, where to watch and betting odds for each of the 41 2019 NCAA college bowl games.
The exciting 2019 college football season will have a bow put on it before you know it, as bowl season is upon us, along with the college football playoffs.
For your viewing (and of course, betting) pleasure, we’ve broken down each bowl game, with time and where you can watch the game, as well as the latest college football betting lines and odds, via BetMGM.
New to sports betting? The line lists the team that is considered the favorite to win, while the -minus number represents the point spread in the matchup, which is by how many points the line makers predict the favorite will win. An Over/Under (O/U) displays the betting line for how many points sportsbook line makers feel will be scored by the two teams combined in the matchup.
2019-20 College Football Bowl and Playoff Games
All times Eastern
Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte
BetMGM Line: Buffalo -5.5 | O/U 57.5
When and where to watch: December 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. | ESPN
Frisco Bowl: Kent State vs. Utah State
BetMGM Line: Utah State -8.5 | O/U 65.5
When and where to watch: December 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Celebration Bowl: Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T
BetMGM Line: Not available
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at noon | ABC
New Mexico Bowl: Central Michigan vs. San Diego State
BetMGM Line: San Diego State -4.5 | O/U 41.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 2 p.m. | ESPN
Cure Bowl: Liberty vs. Georgia Southern
BetMGM Line: Georgia Southern -5.5 | O/U 56.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
College football season is almost over! Get action in any of these bowl games at BetMGM now. Place your bet!
Boca Raton Bowl: SMU vs. Florida Atlantic
BetMGM Line: SMU -3.5 | O/U 72.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. | ABC
Camellia Bowl: Florida International vs. Arkansas State
BetMGM Line: Arkansas State -3.5 | O/U 63.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. | ESPN
Las Vegas Bowl: Washington vs. Boise State
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports
BetMGM Line: Washington -3.5 | O/U 49.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. | ABC
New Orleans Bowl: UAB vs. Appalachian State
BetMGM Line: App State -17.5 | O/U 48.5
When and where to watch: December 21, 2019 at 9 p.m. | ESPN
Gasparilla Bowl: Marshall vs. Central Florida
BetMGM Line: Central Florida -17.5 | O/U 61.5
When and where to watch: December 23, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Hawaii Bowl: BYU vs. Hawaii
BetMGM Line: BYU -2.5 | O/U 62.5
When and where to watch: December 24, 2019 at 8 p.m. | ESPN
Independence Bowl: Miami (Fla.) vs. Louisiana Tech
BetMGM Line: Miami, Fla. -7.5 | O/U 50
When and where to watch: December 26, 2019 at 4 p.m. | ESPN
Quick Lane Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. E. Michigan
BetMGM Line: Pittsburgh -10.5 | O/U 50
When and where to watch: December 26, 2019 at 8 p.m. | ESPN
Military Bowl: North Carolina vs. Temple
BetMGM Line: North Carolina -5.5 | O/U 53
When and where to watch: December 27, 2019 at noon | ESPN
Pinstripe Bowl: Michigan State vs. Wake Forest
Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports
BetMGM Line: Michigan State -3.5 | O/U 49
When and where to watch: December 27, 2019 at 3:20 p.m. | ESPN
Texas Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M
BetMGM Line: Texas -5.5 | O/U 53.5
When and where to watch: December 27, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. | ESPN
Holiday Bowl: Southern California vs. Iowa
BetMGM Line: Iowa -2.5 | O/U 51.5
When and where to watch: December 27, 2019 at 8 p.m. | FS1
Cheez-It Bowl: Washington State vs. Air Force
BetMGM Line: Air Force -2.5 | O/U 67.5
When and where to watch: December 27, 2019 at 10:15 p.m. | ESPN
Camping World Bowl: Iowa State vs. Notre Dame
BetMGM Line: Notre Dame -3.5 | O/U 57
When and where to watch: December 28, 2019 at noon | ABC
Cotton Bowl Classic: Memphis vs. Penn State
BetMGM Line: Penn State -7.5 | O/U 60.5
When and where to watch: December 28, 2019 at noon ET | ESPN
BetMGM Line: LSU -12.5 | O/U 76
When and where to watch: December 28, 2019 at 4 p.m. | ESPN
Fiesta Bowl: Clemson vs. Ohio State
College football playoff semifinal game
BetMGM Line: Clemson -2.5 | O/U 63
When and where to watch: December 28, 2019 at 8 p.m. | ESPN
First Responder Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Western Kentucky
BetMGM Line: Western Kentucky -2.5 | O/U 52.5
When and where to watch: December 30, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. | ESPN
Redbox Bowl: Illinois vs. California
BetMGM Line: Cal -5.5 | O/U 41.5
When and where to watch: December 30, 2019 at 4 p.m. | FOX
Music City Bowl: Louisville vs. Mississippi State
BetMGM Line: Mississippi State -3.5 | O/U 62.5
When and where to watch: December 30, 2019 at 4 p.m. | ESPN
Orange Bowl: Virginia vs. Florida
BetMGM Line: Florida -13.5 | O/U 54.5
When and where to watch: December 30, 2019 at 8 p.m. | ESPN
Belk Bowl: Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech
BetMGM Line: Florida -13.5 | O/U 54.5
When and where to watch: December 31, 2019 at noon | ESPN
Sun Bowl: Florida State vs. Arizona State
BetMGM Line: Arizona State -5.5 | O/U 56
When and where to watch: December 31, 2019 at 2 p.m. | CBS
Liberty Bowl: Kansas State vs. Navy
BetMGM Line: Navy -1.5 | O/U 52
When and where to watch: December 31, 2019 at 3:45 p.m. | ESPN
Arizona Bowl: Georgia State vs. Wyoming
BetMGM Line: Wyoming -7.5 | O/U 49
When and where to watch: December 31, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
Alamo Bowl: Texas vs. Utah
BetMGM Line: Utah -6.5 | O/U 55
When and where to watch: December 31, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs. Auburn
BetMGM Line: Auburn -8.5 | O/U 51.5
When and where to watch: January 1, 2020 at 1 p.m. | ESPN
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama
Photo Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports
BetMGM Line: Alabama -6.5 | O/U 58
When and where to watch: January 1, 2020 at 1 p.m. | ABC
Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
BetMGM Line: Wisconsin -2.5 | O/U 50.5
When and where to watch: January 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. | ESPN
Sugar Bowl: Baylor vs. Georgia
BetMGM Line: Georgia -7.5 | O/U 42.5
When and where to watch: January 1, 2020 at 8:45 p.m. | ESPN
Birmingham Bowl: Boston College vs. Cincinnati
BetMGM Line: Cincinnati -6.5 | O/U 55.5
When and where to watch: January 2, 2020 at 3 p.m. | ESPN
Gator Bowl: Indiana vs. Tennessee
BetMGM Line: Not available
When and where to watch: January 2, 2020 at 7 p.m. | ESPN
Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Nevada
BetMGM Line: Ohio -6.5 | O/U 58
When and where to watch: January 3, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
Armed Forces Bowl: Tulane vs. Southern Mississippi
BetMGM Line: Tulane -6.5 | O/U 57.5
When and where to watch: January 4, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. | ESPN
LendingTree Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
BetMGM Line: UL Lafayette -13.5 | O/U 56
When and where to watch: January 6, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
National Championship
The 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game will determine this year’s top team among NCAA Division 1 football.
The winners of Oklahoma Sooners vs. LSU Tigers (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl) and Clemson Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (PlayStation Fiesta Bowl) will meet to play for this year’s championship title.
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In the early odds put out by BetMGM, Clemson is favored by -2 over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
The titanic matchup is set. Ohio State, the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff is set to face off with No. 3 Clemson out in a place familiar to Buckeye fans, the Fiesta Bowl.
The Tigers are the defending national champions and will no doubt present the biggest challenge to date for a Buckeye team that has won every single game by double digits. It should be a whale of a game, and anyone’s to win really.
In fact, according to the early line by BetMGM, Clemson is actually favored by -2 points over Ohio State, the first time the Buckeyes will be an underdog if the line holds all the way until kickoff December 28.
“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now atBetMGM.”
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The Fiesta Bowl, one of two College Football Semifinals, will showcase Ohio State vs. Clemson. The matchup is officially sold out..
The Fiesta Bowl, one of two College Football Semifinals, will showcase Ohio State vs. Clemson. And now, the matchup is officially sold out, the Bowl’s Twitter account noted.
The game will be played on December 28, 2019, and kickoff is set for 8 pm EST. The 2 pm tweet came just a few days following the announcement of the matchup.
Two of the three remaining undefeated programs, this will certainly be the more notable of the two semifinal games.
For Ohio State, it’s about re-writing history. The last time these two teams met, Clemson destroyed Ohio State, beating the Buckeyes 31-0. The Buckeyes also lost to the Tigers in the 2014 Orange Bowl 40-35.
A 31-point beatdown is certainly still felt, and a senior like KJ Hill should have a little extra motivation heading into the late-December matchup.
Ohio State, one of the nation’s most prestigious football programs, has created a fanbase that travels well. That said, expect the game, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, to have a good amount of Ohio State and Clemson fans in attendance.
Six Big Ten coaches had votes in the Amway Coaches Poll this year. All of them put Ohio State at No. 1.
The Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports is decided by 65 FBS coaches. These 65 voters are split up relatively evenly between the ten conferences, to avoid potential bias. Not only is there possibly an incentive for coaches to make their opponents look stronger, but familiarity breeds respect, and coaches are generally most familiar with the teams in their own conferences.
Usually, the ballots for the Coaches Poll are kept private. No one knows which coach voted which way. However, in a tradition that came from the BCS, the poll does release the ballot of each coach for the final rankings. USA Today published those ballots, which contain some interesting nuggets.
An important takeaway, though, is that all sseven Big Ten coaches will ballots put Ohio State at No. 1. The Buckeyes received 14 first-place votes in the final poll, and a full half those 14 came from Big Ten coaches. Chris Ash of Rutgers, Jeff Brohm of Purdue, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, Ohio State’s own Ryan Day, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Nebraska’s Scott Frost all put the Buckeyes in the top spot. (Even though Ash was fired partway through the season, his vote isn’t transferred to a different school or coach.)
This is not too unexpected. The trends for years have indicated that teams are slightly overrated (relative to the rest of the poll) by coaches in their own conference–which is why the bias is spread out the way the poll does it. Still, it’s noteworthy that the Big Ten coaches all think that Ohio State is the best in the land, while the vast majority of others had the Buckeyes at No. 2. A few coaches did have Ohio State at No. 3 behind both LSU and Clemson, but no one had the Buckeyes lower. In fact, astonishingly, every single coach (and every single AP voter) had the Oklahoma Sooners at No. 4–not a single voter had them higher or lower.
