Sugar Bowl: #3 Ohio State 49, #2 Clemson 28, Jan 1 in New Orleans

[Hstead]

Who’s reffing this

I will take a CUSA volleyball fucking crew before I want another SEC crew.

 

[X Buckeyes07 X]

As ridiculous as the B1G is and bad as the initial news sounded, I had a feeling if they were announcing any changes to the 21 day period they'd be finding a way to finesse a) getting them back for the semis, and b) messaging it in a way that it sounded like they were still taking all precautions.

Day just confirmed the change means Olave is available: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ve-will-return-against-clemson-due-to-big-ten

 

[Poe McKnoe]

DL is worse and the secondary is significantly worse. WR is more talented but largely unproven outside of Olave and Wilson.

I think overall, the 2019 team was better. It's going to be a tough game.

100%. Didn’t touch on that because Chase Young, Jordan Fuller, Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, JK Dobbins are all doing NFL things instead of suiting up in this. Their position groups are not better. Their replacements may one day meet or exceed what they did in S&G, but they aren’t close yet. Buckeyes have a lot of growing up to do in 2 weeks.

Really hoping Ryan Day can convert some of that recruiting magic into game magic.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

My first thought is that that IU and NU showed the blueprint to Venables and he has a lot more talent to work with.

Rush 3-4, drop 7-8 into zone and it really seems to bother Fields and the WR's. We also seem to stay in those deep routes no matter what, Fields takes too long to get the ball out and Clemson has top shelf DL talent. Something that IU and NU do not.

I have no idea about Clemson's secondary talent or, more importantly, their ability to disguise coverages but that's the first half of the game imo, Fields and the WR's are going to have to make better reads, quicker decisions and get the ball out. He won't have the time he had against IU/NU.

After Indiana, I immediately thought it would work in OSU's favor as a great practice for Clemson.

You make valuable points, but it also works the other way around for OSU. Day and co. have a better understanding of how their team reacts in these situations and the value of running the ball when they're giving it to them. Will they make the right changes and will they be willing to stick to it in the game? And will Fields' thumb be ok? Guess we'll see.

 

[RB07OSU]

They are going to have to play a hell of a lot better if they want to deliver it.

That sounds great but I was a lot more confident last year. We got hosed out of that one. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it's that close this year.

For sure, I was much more confident last year with Young, Okudah, etc. We have the talent to beat them but I'm skeptical with how we've played in most games this year. We can definitely score on them but I'm not sure we can stop their offense.

 

[Jake]

With the way stuff goes, this will be the year we beat them. That’s sports.

That would be hilarious. I wouldn't be able to get enough shots of the looks on the faces of Dabo and Barbie. Please let it happen.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

Oh and I forgot to mention that if Trey Sermon looks like he could go for 400 yards in this one, I think the coaching staff should let him.

 

[Jaxbuck]

After Indiana, I immediately thought it would work in OSU's favor as a great practice for Clemson.

You make valuable points, but it also works the other way around for OSU. Day and co. have a better understanding of how their team reacts in these situations and the value of running the ball when they're giving it to them. Will they make the right changes and will they be willing to stick to it in the game? And will Fields' thumb be ok? Guess we'll see.

The application of that learning between IU and NU doesn't exactly fill me with confidence but at the end of the day, OSU has the same caliber of athletes on the field with Clemson or Bama. They lost a game they should have won last year, maybe they'll win one they shouldn't this year. Who knows? Stranger shit has happened.

 

[Jake]

For sure, I was much more confident last year with Young, Okudah, etc. We have the talent to beat them but I'm skeptical with how we've played in most games this year. We can definitely score on them but I'm not sure we can stop their offense.

I'm more concerned with the offense, specifically Fields. He's thrown more picks in 6 games this year than he did in 12 games last year. He also doesn't have a lot of time for that thumb to heal.

I hope Day learns from yesterday and isn't so reluctant to lean on the run as much as possible. That would also keep Barbie on the sideline.

 

[RB07OSU]

From what I have seen they are worse at wide receiver and DB this year... We are much worse at db and dline this year. And until yesterday we missed the hell out JK

I don't know that I would say the DL is much worse, I think Togiai and Garrett are an improvement inside, they've played outstanding. DE has dropped off and we obviously miss Young a ton, but we knew that would be the case. Now for DBs, there's been a huge drop off and while I expected some drop off, not this much. They're going to give up some big pass plays and hopefully they can make some big plays and create turnovers when the opportunities present themselves.

 

[Hstead]

Oh and I forgot to mention that if Trey Sermon looks like he could go for 400 yards in this one, I think the coaching staff should let him.

So you are telling me if you are in four down territory, faced with a daunting 3rd and 2, you might be able to get a play call in, and probably a wild and crazy run at that, BEFORE THE FUCKING PLAY CLOCK EXPIRES?

 

[Arch2H]

Day get rid of the damn "horizontal passing game".

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ryan Day (apparently) just said Olave will be back.

Ohio State missed its star receiver in its Big Ten Championship matchup with Northwestern after he tested positive for COVID-19 in the week leading up to the game, but Ryan Day said Olave will be back in time to compete in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson.

The news comes after the Big Ten changed its rule sidelining athletes at least 21 days following a positive COVID-19 test, reducing that time period to 17 days. The rule change allows Olave to compete in the College Football Playoff.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I don't know that I would say the DL is much worse, I think Togiai and Garrett are an improvement inside, they've played outstanding. DE has dropped off and we obviously miss Young a ton, but we knew that would be the case. Now for DBs, there's been a huge drop off and while I expected some drop off, not this much. They're going to give up some big pass plays and hopefully they can make some big plays and create turnovers when the opportunities present themselves.

Seemed like Fitz went after Banks on every called pass play. Proctor got caught overrunning a couple of long runs by the QB.

Offensive skill position talent at Clemson goes up infinitely and I don't see an answer to be honest.

 

[ScriptOhio]

The Buckeyes now have their shot at getting redemption after last year's Fiesta Bowl loss, and a bevy of current and former players took to social media to share their thoughts on getting another crack at the Tigers: