Ohio State takes on Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night in Arizona. Here are three things to know about the matchup.
Defensive battle?
While both of these teams have had their high-scoring moments this season, this is a matchup between two of the country’s top defenses. Ohio State ranks third in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of 282.3 total yards per game, and Clemson is right behind them at No. 8, allowing an average of 313.9 total yards per game. The secondary is the Buckeyes’ strength, though they’re very good in the front seven, too. Ohio State ranks in the top five nationally in defending the pass and has 17 interceptions to its credit. Clemson, meanwhile, can get after the quarterback, ranking third in the country with 46 sacks. All that being said, these teams can put up points, too. Ohio State scored 58 points or more three times during Big Ten play, while Clemson scored 54 or more four times on the year and dropped 42 in a win over a top-15 Louisville team.
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Class of quarterbacks
This one features two of college football’s best quarterbacks in Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. Barrett was named the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year for the second time in three seasons. Watson was the Heisman Trophy runner-up this season. Both guys can make big plays with both their arm and their legs. Watson is the better passer, ranking in the top 10 nationally with 3,914 passing yards to go along with 37 touchdown passes. Barrett is a better runner than a passer — though he still passed for 2,428 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions — teaming with running back Mike Weber and multi-faceted star Curtis Samuel to give the Buckeyes the best rushing attack in the Big Ten. Barrett and Ohio State’s passing attack has been inconsistent all season, while Watson has had trouble with his accuracy throwing 15 interceptions. But don’t let that make you think for a second that these guys won’t be making some of the Fiesta Bowl’s biggest plays.
Sky patrol
Speaking of Deshaun Watson’s 15 interceptions, look for Ohio State’s exceptional secondary to come away with an interception — or maybe a few of them. The Buckeyes are among the best intercepting teams in the country with 17 picks on the season and a whopping seven of them returned for touchdowns. Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Damon Webb have caused nightmares for opposing quarterbacks all season, with Hooker and Lattimore — who could both be future first-round draft picks — combining for 10 of those interceptions. As good as Watson is, only three quarterbacks in the country have thrown more interceptions this season, meaning the Ohio State defense could be about to feast on his mistakes.