What Clemson has seen from Ohio State’s top-ranked offense on film
Clemson leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing 10.6 points per game entering its Fiesta Bowl matchup against Ohio State, but the Tigers have yet to see an offense anywhere close to the one the Buckeyes have.
At least not in a game setting.
Clemson has watched plenty of film on OSU, a team that leads the nation in scoring offense averaging nearly 49 points per game, and Tigers defenders see many similarities between Ohio State’s offense and the one they see every day in practice.
Both offenses have a dynamic running back as Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins are two of the best backs in the country, and you have to slow them down to have a chance to be successful defensively.
“They’ve got a dynamic running back that is the foundation of their offense,” Clemson safety K’Von Wallace said. “Everything goes through him and the way he can run the ball, the way he can break tackles and run through trash and get the ball in the end zone is just special.”
Dobbins has rushed for 1,829 through 13 games and is averaging about 6.5 yards per carry. Just as his counterpart Etienne is, Dobbins is a dependable workhorse who has played in every game this season. He averages 22 rushing attempts per game.
“He reminds me of a bigger Travis Etienne, just the way he runs through trash, the way he finishes blocks and the way he attacks the tackler,” Wallace said. “He doesn’t shy away from contact. He wants it. We’re going to have to bring all 11 hats to the ball with him.”
Of course you can’t just focus on stopping Dobbins. The Buckeyes have a dual-threat quarterback in Justin Fields who is third nationally with 40 passing touchdowns entering the Fiesta Bowl. Fields has tossed only one interception all season and also has 471 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
“We’re gonna have to bring it and stay in coverage when Fields is back there. He’s a very patient and dynamic runner and thrower, strong arm, great kid,” Wallace said. “They bring a different style of running and passing because they do both very, very well. But it’s nothing that we didn’t see. We see it every day in practice, running and passing. We go against the best in practice, and our preparation in practice is what helps us on game day.”
For Tigers safety Tanner Muse, what stands out about Ohio State’s offense is the success the Buckeyes have on third own.
Ohio State converts on 57 percent of its third-down attempts, which leads the nation. The key to Clemson reversing that trend is to slow down the Buckeyes on first and second down, according to Muse.
“We’ve just got to stop them on first and second down and create these third-and-longs,” Muse said. “I think a lot of guys have been letting the run game get to them. Dobbins is a great player. He’s a smash mouth guy and is really gonna bring it. You’ve just gotta be able to contain him for as long as you can and hope for the best.”
If there is one weakness on Ohio State’s offense it is that the Buckeyes have allowed 31 sacks, which ranks No. 103 nationally. Clemson’s Xavier Thomas, the Tigers’ best pass rusher, is hoping to add to that total in the Fiesta Bowl.
“You have a great quarterback in Justin who is a scrambling guy. You have to try your best to maintain him and make him as antsy as possible,” Thomas said. “He definitely loves to hold the ball so that definitely plays a factor in the sacks.”
Next
Who: Clemson (13-0) vs. Ohio State (13-0)
Where: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28
TV: ESPN
Early line: Clemson by 2
This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 11:47 AM.
