FIESTA BOWL: (2) OHIO STATE VS. (3) CLEMSON

Today, 5 p.m., Glendale, Ariz. TV: ESPN. Line: Ohio State by 3. Series: Clemson 2-0

AT STAKE: The Tigers are trying to get back to the College Football Playoff national championship game for the second consecutive season. The Buckeyes won the first playoff after the 2014 season and a victory against the Tigers would put coach Urban Meyer a win away from him fourth national championship.

KEY MATCHUP: Ohio State’s offensive line vs. Clemson’s defensive line in pass protection. The Buckeyes have allowed 25 sacks. At 2.08 per game, that ranks 63rd in the nation. Thirteen of those sacks came against Michigan and Penn State. Right tackle Isaiah Prince has been especially inconsistent against the better pass rushers he has faced. The Tigers rank third in the country with 46 sacks, though they get a lot of their sacks from tackles Carlos Watkins (8.5) and Dexter Lawrence (6.5). Prince will likely see a lot of DE Christian Wilkins (3.5 sacks).

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ohio State: Malik Hooker. The AllAmerica safety has six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns. He leads one of the best secondaries in the country and an Ohio State defense that ranked sixth in the nation with 19 interceptions, including seven returned for touchdowns. Clemson: Deshaun Watson. The junior quarterback and two-time Heisman finalist can dominate a game as few quarterbacks in the country. He has passed for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns. His running was down from last year, but in the big games he is likely to break out that part of his game.

FACTS & FIGURES: Since 2011, Clemson is 68-13 and Ohio State is 67-12. Only Alabama (75-7) has a better record in FBS. … Meyer is 10-2 in bowl games, including the College Football Playoff championship game. … QB J.T. Barrett holds the Ohio State record for touchdowns responsible for with 100 (31 rushing, 69 passing). … Watson is responsible for 109 touchdowns (23 rushing, 86 passing) in his career.