Five Ways Ohio State Will Lose To Clemson In The Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State very well could get revenge this time around versus Clemson. However, if they were to lose again, how are ways that would happen?

There’s no reason to believe Ohio State will get ran off the field against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. On the other hand, there is equally no reason to believe they will run away with it either.

Before your eyes fill with Scarlet and rage at the title of this piece, this is an annual exercise for this writer. If you’re familiar with Factory of Sadness, there’s no shortage of Buckeye love in these spaces. That doesn’t change the fact that there are at least five reasons why Ohio State will lose to Clemson in the semis of the College Football Playoffs.

1. J.T. Barrett‘s inability to throw deep keeps the box too crowded

Barrett’s struggles in the air are well documented this season. Whether it be a lack of experience on the outside or some trouble hitting wide open targets.

This year was clearly a step backwards for the well decorated quarterback. The Clemson defense is a true sideline to sideline defense and has been every bit as good as the Silver Bullets this year.

If Barrett can’t get the ball moving in the air and force Clemson to cover the entire field, it will make for a long day for the Buckeyes’ offense. Look no further than the Michigan game. While the rushing numbers look good in terms of total yardage, Barrett carried the ball 30 times by himself and it took two overtimes to put up 24 points.

2. The stage is looks too big for the baby Buckeyes

They looked great in prime time a handful of games this year. Coming to mind instantly were the Nebraska and Oklahoma big time blowout wins.

However, Wisconsin was a near miss in overtime and Penn State was the lone blemish on the season. How will Ohio State fare under the playoff spotlight, especially with so much down time between games? How will so many young players handle being named All-Americans and All-Stars?

What about the way they handle knowing that if they don’t win, the season is over? This is the first true win or go home game of the year, after all.

3. Buckeye corners get outmuscled by big Clemson receivers

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Mike Williams is 6’3, 230 pounds. Jordan Leggett is every bit as a match up problem as Jake Butt is at Michigan.

While the Buckeye secondary has been arguably the best in the country in 2016, you can roll the tape from the Penn State game to see there were issues against bigger receivers. DaeSean Hamilton won his jump balls in that game.

What’s to stop Deshaun Watson from locking onto Williams and doing the same?

What if they line up Leggett in the slot, where Austin Carr at Northwestern tore up the Buckeye defense? It would make sense for the Tigers to copy the playbook Penn State used to hand the Buckeyes their only loss of the season.

4. Watson plays like Tajh Boyd al la 2014

The last time the Tigers and Buckeyes met in a bowl game, it was the Orange Bowl in January of 2014. Boyd and Sammy Watkins flew past the Buckeyes in the second half for a 40-35 win.

While Watkins had 227 receiving yards, Boyd was even more spectacular. He went 31 of 40 for 378 yards and five passing touchdowns. In addition, he also added 127 yards on the ground and another score.

This year’s Clemson Tigers have a true dual threat quarterback of their own, one that was a Heisman finalist in his own right. Watson has the potential for a six touchdown game of his own.

5. Because Clemson match ups are cursed

We’ve already hinted at 2014’s Orange Bowl. That loss is so far the only bowl loss Urban Meyer has suffered as the head coach in Columbus, Ohio.

It is also one of the few times he appeared to have no answer for an opposing player. But no discussion about Clemson – Ohio State bowl games is complete without the 1978 Gator Bowl.

This was the final game of Woody Hayes’ coaching career. The Buckeye legend, despite all of his national titles and unequaled success, forced his own way out after punching Tiger Charlie Bauman on the sidelines after a game sealing interception of Art Schlichter.

Next: Predictions For The College Football Playoff

Hayes was fired the next day after 28 seasons as the leading man at The Ohio State University. Here’s hoping Meyer doesn’t body slam anyone this year.

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