Paw Predictions: The Fiesta Bowl - No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 2 Ohio State
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No. 3 Clemson is in Arizona to take on No. 2 Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, and the Tigers are currently a 2 point favorite over the Buckeyes. You can see how some of the national media is viewing this game below.
Game preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHH8QR2v1T8
247 Sports, 31-28 Clemson/34-17 Clemson
“Hummer: This is an all-time tossup to me. I think it’ll come down to special teams and turnovers. Since I have to pick, I’m going Clemson. The Tigers are a proven playoff entity, and Trevor Lawrence is the player I'd want to have the ball down the stretch. Plus, I think the Clemson offense is slightly more reliable down to down. … Clemson 31, Ohio State 28.
Crawford: Nothing against Ohio State, and I've picked the Buckeyes to cover in nearly every game this season, but this is one of my favorite picks of bowl season. You have a team that's won 28 straight games with Playoff experience matched up with a group not all that familiar with the big stage. There were important contests in Big Ten play this fall, but this one's a different animal. And last time the Buckeyes appeared in the final four, Brent Venables' defense dominated an explosive offense with extra time to prepare. ... Clemson 34, Ohio State 17.”
What they said:
“On paper, everything about these two teams suggests this is one of the toughest playoff games from the first six years to predict. Both programs have plenty of firepower from two of the nation’s best offenses, which are led by standout quarterbacks with strong supporting casts. On the defensive side of the ball, both units rank among the best in college football. However, this will arguably be the toughest assignment for both teams this season. This game is likely to be decided on whichever team can get a couple of timely stops in the second half and a turnover or two. And just how healthy is Fields’ knee? If he’s close to 100 percent, that’s a big deal for Ohio State’s offense. It’s a toss up, but a small edge goes to Clemson.”
Bleacher Report, 42-38 Clemson
What they said:
“The teams are evenly matched and have X-factors across the board. If Ohio State can get Dobbins going, then maybe they'll have a chance at the narrow upset. But, they're likely going to have to throw the ball to outscore Clemson and it seems improbable that anyone will be able to hold Clemson's offense down while outscoring a defense led by as versatile and adaptable a defender as Simmons.”
What they said:
“My hunch is that Clemson's dominance over its ACC schedule had more to do with Clemson and less to do with the strength of the ACC. This game is going to be close, and I understand if you think that the Buckeyes are the pick because they've been more battle-tested, but the fabric of Swinney's Tigers program is tied closely to being ready in these postseason matchups against blue blood programs. Clemson may be the betting favorite, but he's sold the story that no one thinks they belong with LSU and Ohio State. Advantage: R.O.Y. Bus. Pick: Clemson (-2.5)”
College Football News, 30-23 Clemson
What they said:
“Oh sure, we all made fun of Dabo and his “no one believes in us/wants us” whining late in the season, but … he sort of had a point.
This is the defending national champ that won two of the last three tournaments. The program has won 28 games in a row and is 71-2 against teams not named Alabama since mid-November of 2014.
Ohio State has been magnificent. It’s had a perfect mindset for the entire season, it hasn’t had the 2018 Purdue or 2017 Iowa braincramp along the way, and it hasn’t even had the 2018 Maryland or the Clemson vs. North Carolina get-out-alive moment.
But it also hasn’t been ignored.
This is the game when the Buckeyes finally start to feel the squeeze.
Of course they wanted to beat Michigan and take home the Big Ten Championship over Wisconsin, but neither one of those games really mattered all that much. There’s a difference between wanting to win a big game, and having to win a game to keep a national title dream alive.
Clemson will be razor-sharp, it’ll be more efficient and more effective. In a game that’s so dead-even in talent, athleticism, and depth, the program that’s done it for the last few years will be just that much better than it has to be.”
What they said:
“This marks the second time the Buckeyes and the Tigers are meeting in the CFP. In the 2016 season, Clemson blanked OSU 31-0 on its way to winning the national title.
Expect a much closer game this time. Both Ohio State and Clemson have won big week after week. OSU's closest win was by 11 points against top-10 Penn State; after escaping North Carolina in the last weekend in September, Clemson has won its last eight games by 42.1 points per game.”