Throwback Thursday: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Clemson Tigers

With the NCAA football playoffs now here, it’s finally time to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes duke it out against the Clemson Tigers for a chance to play Alabama…. So now for three loud and lavish years with a four-team playoff concept, college football has, of course, hurriedly found something you might even call – yep – College Football Playoff royalty. Both teams have been selected for the four-team playoff for the second time in the three-year history. Plus, it’s on a Saturday.

“. Outside of the ball game scenario, this is who you get”, Barrett said. He hopped through the back of the end zone and did a little dance in front of the Ohio State section.

With another year of eligibility remaining, Barrett hasn’t said whether he’s coming back to Ohio State next year or entering the National Football League draft, but his size (6-foot-2) and mediocre arm strength likely would keep him from being a top pick even among available quarterbacks. But what was a difference-maker for Ohio State was the fact the team went 3-1 against teams ranked in the final top 25.

If Clemson wins, Watson will most likely have added the game of his life to his resume. That’s an awesome statistic for scoring 42 points. They’ve also covered in six of their last eight bowl games and are 15-7-1 against the number in their last 23 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous contest. Playmaking Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams may go even higher than Watson in the National Football League draft, and senior linebacker Ben Boulware will have the Tiger defense fired up. All that was left for the Buckeyes was to avoid the shutout. Ohio State’s defense thrived on interceptions, recording 19, including an incredible seven pick-sixes. All of these factors lead me to believe that Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett will be able to do most of his damage on the ground, particularly on broken plays when his offensive line is overwhelmed.

While many OH cities have declined in population – Cleveland alone has lost 44 percent of its population since 1950 – most Southern states have boomed. The Clemson offensive line has struggled to block people. The Huskies have a brilliant coach who didn’t take long to break them out of their mediocrity.

“This is Ohio State”, said Dabo Swinney.”I think that their brand speaks for themselves. We recruit against Clemson probably as much as anybody”. “They feel like they can make plays”. Watson will get into trouble when he locks onto a receiver and forces a throw into double coverage, but his willingness to give his receivers chances downfield is troubling for the Buckeyes considering the talent of Williams. Drive: Seven plays, 42 yards, 2:36. News of the rematch was apparently news to Clemson players as the clock wound down. The Buckeye’ only loss was a 24-21 defeat at Penn State.

I’m sorry if that disappoints IPTAY types – given my history, it should probably fill them with glee – but I haven’t been half as impressed with the Tigers this season as I was previous year.

Ohio State began this season with 16 new starters, which, in different era would have suggested a rebuilding season. Both teams enter the game with one loss on the season, and they’ll be playing across the country at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.