INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
WHEN CLEMSON HAS THE BALL
Heisman Trophy runner-up Deshaun Watson and his array of playmaking wide receivers against Ohio State’s ballhawking secondary will go a long way toward deciding Saturday night’s winner. Watson has an embarrassment of riches to choose from — Mike Williams (right), Hunter Renfrow, Jordan Leggett, Deon
Cain and Artavis Scott. But he hasn’t seen a secondary quite like Ohio State’s, a group that comcombined for 16 of the team’s 19 interceptions and was the backbone to the third-ranked defense in ppoints allowed (14.2). Clemson’s ground game wasn’t neanearly as explosive as it was a year ago — junior Wayne
GallmanGal slumped and suffered concussion on Oct. 15, and WaWatson didn’t scramble nearly as much. Also, the Buckeyes, led by a young and talented front seven, were 13th in the coucountry against the run. Edge: Ohio State.
WHENWH OHIO STATE HAS THE BALL
SafSafety Jadar Johnson basically gave away CleClemson’s game plan Tuesday when he rippripped J.T. Barrett’s throwing ability. It’s not a secret the Tigers will make Barrett beabeat them down the field, looking to take awaaway Ohio State’s dominant ground game and short passing attack. The Buckeyes lack a consistent big-play threat, and Barrett struggled late in the year, throwing for just 210 yards over his final two games. Look for Ohio State to go up top early, possibly to do-it-all junior Curtis Samuel, to loosen up the Clemson defense. The Tigers feature one of the best defensive lines in the nation — a physical group led by Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Carlos Watkins — that will limit the large creases the Buckeyes’ eighth-ranked rushing offense relies upon. Edge: Even
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ohio State punter Cameron Johnston is a weapon, a Ray Guy Award finalist who was fourth in the country in average punts (46.2) and pinned nearly half of his kicks (23 of 49) inside the opponent’s 20. Neither team features a game-changer in the return game, and while both kickers are solid, Tyler Durbin of Ohio State had a field goal blocked for a touchdown against Penn State and missed two attempts against Michigan. Edge: Even
COACHING
Ohio State’s Urban Meyer (left) is 10-2 in bowl games for a reason: When he has this much time to prepare, he rarely loses. His teams are at their best on this stage, going 4-0 combined in the 2014 playoff and 2006 and 2008 national title games. The Buckeyes may not win, but they certainly will be prepared. Dabo Swinney is no slouch, building Clemson into a national powerhouse and leading the Tigers to six straight seasons of double-digit victories. A players coach known for his quirkiness and honesty, he keeps his team loose, and has last year’s experience of pushing Alabama to the wire in the national championship game as a template. Edge: Ohio State.