Why Clemson-Ohio State Could Be the Best Matchup in College Football Playoff History
By Scott Rogust
Once the college football regular season reached its conclusion (and, let's be honest, well before its official wrap-up date), many fans dedicated their sporting lives to waiting with bated breath for the potential College Football Playoff matchups. While Jalen Hurts' shot at LSU (potentially sans-Clyde Edwards-Helaire) stirs up a bit of interest, it's nothing compared to the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, pitting the Big Ten Champion Ohio State Buckeyes and ACC Champion Clemson Tigers against each other.
Make no mistake about it: This could be the greatest CFP game in history.
The unfortunate reality of Clemson vs. Ohio St. is the loser will be wrongly labeled a fraud by some.
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) December 24, 2019
Out of 130 teams, LSU, Clemson, and Ohio State are your 3 medalists no matter what. There should be ZERO debate for anyone else.
The only thing left to determine is ???.
Unlike the Peach Bowl game between LSU and Oklahoma, Ohio State and Clemson are both equally matched on both sides of the ball. Explosive offenses and stifling defenses.
The most intriguing matchup will be between quarterbacks Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence, both of whom are slated to be top NFL Draft prospects in 2021. Lawrence is having a bit of a down year, as compared to his tremendous rookie season. As for Fields, his troublesome knee issue continues to bother him, and he'll wear a small brace that will somewhat limit his movement.
Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence are college football’s best young passers and at the center of the Fiesta Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Clemson.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) December 23, 2019
While growing up in north Georgia, they were shaped by the same private quarterbacks coach: Ron Veal: https://t.co/iQfQk99ztl
Even so, playoff games bring out the best in athletes, so those issues can all fade away come kickoff.
Not to mention, we've got a battle of dynamic running backs between JK Dobbins and Travis Etienne, and Buckeyes stud edge rusher Chase Young going one-on-one with Tigers offensive tackle Jackson Carman.
Clemson OT Jackson Carman was a rare in-state recruiting miss for Ohio State. Now he'll play a key role in trying to stop Chase Young in the Fiesta Bowl https://t.co/C6h2cd41Cg
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 24, 2019
There's much more on the line than a spot in the CFP Final. The last time these two teams met, Clemson blew out Ohio State 31-0 in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. You've got to believe that the Buckeyes will be looking for some revenge against the Tigers.
If you're not doing anything this Saturday night, do yourself a favor and tune into Clemson vs. Ohio State. You won't regret it. In an exceptional six years of playoff games, this very well may be the most pro-packed, evenly-matched, narrative-stuffed contest we've had yet.