Clemson Tigers vs Ohio State Buckeyes: Predictions, Odds, and Roster Notes

Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ

When: Saturday, December 28th at 8 pm EST

How (TV): ESPN

Clemson Tigers

The Prep.#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/3qqJ9WleFA

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 24, 2019

Head Coach: Dabo Swinney {All-Time: 129-30 | CLEM}

Regular Season Record: 13-0

Outside of a near upset against North Carolina in late September, the Clemson Tigers have faced little resistance en route to their fifth straight playoff appearance.

Criticized all season long for playing a weak ACC schedule, the preseason number one Tigers managed to debut at the number five slot in the playoff rankings in week 10. Dabo Swinney’s team will look to prove their doubters wrong against their biggest test of the year in Ohio State.

Despite having to put up with a soft schedule, Clemson made the most of it by taking no prisoners, averaging a winning margin of 35.9 points and topping the 50 point mark seven times. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence recovered from a slow start to post a 34-8 touchdown-to-interception output, while Travis Etienne put together a 1,500 yard rushing season.

The Tigers’ top-ranked scoring defense was anchored by Dick Butkus Award winner Isaiah Simmons, who registered 14.5 tackles for losses.

Check out also: NCAAF Bowl Season Preview.

ICYMI: From All-Americans to @NFL record breakers, Buckeyes were highlighted all around the football world the last few days.#GoBucks #ToughLove pic.twitter.com/jGXyV1ixB2

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 24, 2019

Head Coach: Ryan Day{All-Time: 16-0 | OSU}

Regular Season Record: 13-0

Since winning the inaugural playoff in 2014, the Ohio State Buckeyes have fallen short of repeating that success, with this season’s appearance being their first since 2016. Sporting a perfect record since taking over for Urban Meyer in Columbus, coach Ryan Day will aim to continue his hot streak through New Orleans against what should likely be the most complete team he has faced.

Leading the Buckeyes is Heisman finalist Justin Fields, who put together a nearly spotless season throwing the football, tallying 40 touchdown passes and just a single interception for the nation’s top offense which averaged 48.7 points per game. Backfield mate J.K. Dobbins had a monster season, with over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage. Ohio State’s other Heisman finalist, Chase Young, was a beast on the defensive end, leading the nation in sacks with 16.5.

Clemson vs Ohio State All-Time Series

Saturday’s game will be the fourth meeting between the two schools, with each of the previous matchups taking place in bowl games.

Clemson has won each of those games, with the most recent meeting also having been played in State Farm Stadium.

That Fiesta Bowl/CFP Semi-final saw the Tigers shut out the Buckeyes 31-0, with the eventual champions being led by quarterback Deshaun Watson along with several other future NFL players. Notable members of that Ohio State team include J.T. Barrett and Nick Bosa, along with current players K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor.

There are no recent roster changes to report for Clemson.

Ohio State Roster Notes

Sophomore quarterback Justin Fields is expected to start despite dealing with a knee injury that is not fully healed at this time.

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Shaun Wade is expected to be available after dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Head-to-Head: Travis Etienne (CLEM) vs Malik Harrison (OSU)

The matchup to keep an eye on in this game will come on running plays, as one of the best running backs in the nation, Travis Etienne, will look to do damage against an Ohio State defense that features disruptive linebacker, Malik Harrison.

Travis Etienne

Running back | 5-10, 200lb | Jennings HS | Jennings, LA | Junior

Needing just 43 yards on the ground to pass Raymond Priester as Clemson’s all-time rushing yardage leader, Travis Etienne will be on a mission to ensure this is not his last game in purple and orange.

Clemson’s all-time scrimmage touchdown leader has been a machine this season, putting together eight 100 yard games.

He is also not bothered by the spotlight, as evidenced by 195 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in last year’s playoff games against Notre Dame and Alabama. With Trevor Lawrence facing a tough secondary, Etienne should see a healthy share of carries to combat that.

Malik Harrison

Outside Linebacker | 6-3, 240lb | Walnut Ridge HS | Columbus, OH | Senior

With Chase Young dominating the headlines as a Heisman finalist, it has been easy to forget about the other members of Ohio State’s stout defense.

Among those hidden gems has been Malik Harrison, whose 16.0 tackles for losses would headline most defenses.

The Columbus native has shown that he can step up against marquee opponents, with a nine tackle performance against Penn State this season serving as one of several examples.

With his NFL draft stock on the line in possibly his last game as a Buckeye, look for Harrison to give everything he has left.

Clemson vs Ohio State Odds

The latest odds for Clemson vs Ohio State are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, 888Sport NJ, and Caesars NJ.

Money Line