Orange Bowl Preview: Ohio St (12-1) vs Clemson (10-2)

        The last time these two met, it was in the Gator Bowl some years ago. Woody Hayes ended an illustrious coaching career with a phenomenally stupid moment, punching a Clemson linebacker after an interception. Will something of that nature occur here? No, absolutely not. But in this one offensive gymnastics will be in no short supply, so it may be almost as fun to watch as that must have been. Some important spreads, I have gathered, have Buckeyes by 3 here, so let's say anything might happen. The Tigers, for their part, haven't lost to any bad teams this year, but are coming off a bitter loss to in state rival South Carolina. That is some sort of nasty, in state rivalry down there, so I imagine Clemson desperately wants to go out on a good note. Of course, Ohio State would, if they had their way, not be playing in this one, but Urban Meyer will hopefully muster the troops for a good effort against a good team in what is still a big bowl game.

        The Tigers, as stated, have two losses this year. We all remember, so long ago, a much publicized matchup against Florida St. Then 3 Clemson was slightly favored, in a game at home which would, some said, prove whether Jameis Winston was the real deal. He handed the Tigers their worst loss at home, ever. A nice, 51-14 thrashing, and all of a sudden Tajh Boyd was out of the Heisman

He's still a talented quarterback, looking to have a big game

conversation, and Clemson was out of the picture. They, as I have heard it so aptly said, had to eat the humble pie here, no doubt. There's just no getting around a 37 point loss at home, when a team is supposed to be one of the best in the nation. No explaining, no pointing to one moment or one aspect of the defeat. That's simply embarrassing. But, to the Tigers credit, they have done everything they can since then, which means they have done nothing but win for the rest of the season, until of course the ill fated matchup against the Gamecocks. So here they are, at the end of another strong season, looking for what would probably be an upset victory. Just because everyone has forgotten about senior Tajh Boyd (and his 67.7 completion %) doesn't mean he isn't talented. I predict he'll have a big game, a final statement before the draft, and the entire Clemson offense should like like a fairly stellar unit. Also listen, of course, to hear the names of WR Sammie Watkins (the best in this year's class, after A&M's Mike Evans) and the less exciting but almost as solid WR Martavis Bryant. These two should be targeted a lot, but this offense can hurt you on many levels, so a high scoring affair is in order. They will be helped by an at times questionable Ohio State defense, of course, letting up over 360 yards a game.

Two great players who play great together

        Well I couldn't leave you without some mention of the two headed monster. Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are licking their chops, I imagine. While the mood of the team is tough to predict (so close to punching their ticket, as I have said they really would rather not be in this game) here's hoping they show up and make Clemson's life difficult. Miller in and of himself is a nightmare for defenses, elusive to the extent that you really don't know where any play is going. ("The most elusive and exciting runner in Ohio State history," according to some.)  Couple that with 238 lbs of running back that moves like 200, you have quite the duo. No, more than quite the duo. If both of these guys play well, Ohio State is not going to lose. These are two of the best in college football.

        So a lot of points will be scored, but that much you knew already. I will have to side with the Buckeyes here, as simply the better team perhaps? Clemson really did not look good on November 30th against the Gamecocks, and while of course Ohio State didn't come out with a win against the Spartans in the Big 10 Title game, they looked just a shade better. They still played poorly though and lost comfortably, and both teams will play better in this one. In the end, we have two great quarterbacks set for a duel for the ages, hopefully.  Ohio St 38-Clemson 31.

Big 10 Championship Preview: Ohio St vs. Michigan St

The college football regular season has come to a close, which means the time has come. Hoard the chips and salsa, stockpile all the cheap beer you can muster, and prioritize this Saturday. By prioritize, I mean cancel all other commitments that don't involve important weddings (so… your own, maybe) or funerals. Now that Alabama has tumbled, we will see a refreshing slate of championship match ups this weekend. Other previews will come, but in brief, here's what I see happening in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis on Saturday. This will be a great game, with two terrific teams going at it on the big stage, it seems in many ways like a match made in heaven. (Ohio St. is favored by 6.5 points, but they have not covered the spread in the last 3 weeks.)

Ohio St is coming off the most entertaining college football game I have seen to date, a rivalry renewed against Michigan. We all recognize that this is one of the best rivalries in sports, period, but in case you had forgotten you had only to watch last weekend. In the Big House, this one involved 3 ejections, a fairly legitimate fight (more than shoves, and a lot more) and one unnamed Ohio St. lineman walking to the stands and flipping off the entire Michigan community, some 114,000 strong who had turned out to watch a great game. That's exactly what they got, as the Buckeyes poured themselves into the game, the only way they were able to keep up with the Wolverines emotionally charged play. This one was incredible, the comeback bids almost inevitable and the huge plays following each other like clockwork.The final score was 42-41, if you missed it, as Michigan lost on a 2 point bid to win the game in the last 30 seconds. Coming off such a huge win, and with the national championship in their sights, I see Ohio St. playing some great football this Saturday. 

They will need to do just that, however, to beat the Spartans. This is arguably the best defense in the country, as quietly all year they have put up numbers like 11.8 points against, good for 4th best in the nation. In fact, this Spartan squad boasts one of the most dominant defensive units in college football in recent memory. They get to the quarterback and then promptly put him on his back, and as for the occasional running back who crosses the line of scrimmage, he is quickly taught a thing or two as well. The Spartans' one loss this year has come in a quirky 17-13 defeat to the Fighting Irish, but other than in those 2 or so quarters, they have looked simply to be an excellent, fundamentally sound team. They are allowing 64 yards on the ground per game, and have allowed a whopping total of 5 rushing touchdowns this year! This is not to forget their passing defense, as in total they are allowing just 237 total yards against per game. Numbers like these are rare, but especially rare in a team with the schedule that Michigan St. has. This is probably the most underrated team in the country. Certainly their defense is, a unit which has been overlooked all year as ESPN analysts fawn and drool over the SEC. They simply don't like letting people score.

So… a couple of things to watch for:

Obviously, the matchup begging to be noticed is the ever dynamic Braxton Miller and less dynamic, maybe, but more "I-will-run-through-you-like-you-weigh-110-lbs" Carlos Hyde. The Buckeye running back is a scary man, as at 240 lbs he moves more like 200. Those skinny cornerbacks who try to stop usually get dragged along for 6 or 7 yards in the process. So, how will this talented pair fare against such a stingy defense? The answer to that will probably decide the game. This is truly strength against strength, as Carlos Hyde ran for well over 200 yards (close to 240, in fact) against Michigan last week. It looked at times like Michigan admitted defeat, and towards the end of the game he simply ran at will all over them. So one of the best running backs in college football (certainly top 3) with one of the most mobile quarterbacks in college football (also probably top 3) will face the best rushing defense in the country. How can you not watch this game?

Another thing to note is if Michigan St. can find the end zone, especially on the ground. Ohio St can and will score, so although this will be a low scoring affair overall it may come down to a last minute drive. There, they will have to count on junior RB Jeremy Langford, a formidable presence. With 16 touchdowns this year, he will have to score at least once for the Spartans to win this one. They do not have an incredible passing game, so here at least we know what to expect. 

There are countless story lines here, from Spartan coach Mark Dantonio's history as a Buckeye to the entire legitimacy of a conference at stake. As everyone mocks the Big 10 perennially, this is the moment to prove that these men can play football. We rarely see these teams as national contenders, but this year they undoubtedly are. Ohio St. is also playing to punch their ticket to the national championship… Emotions will definitely run high. In the words already out there on the Big 10 website, "This is what good football looks like." I have to agree wholeheartedly. This is why I am a fan, and I will watch this game from start to finish. Two great teams, two great strengths, and, as a personal element, Urban Meyer's pride (and unblemished record) at stake. Those are some powerful factors in this one.

Now I am not normally a bold person, but I was really tempted to go with the upset here. I'm a big fan of Michigan St., but I fear they would be an emotional pick as really I just wish ESPN would give them a little more love. So I have to say Ohio St. 21 MSU 17.