Clemson football is really just getting ready to play Notre Dame again, more or less
The Clemson football team will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for an unprecedented third time on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl.
Oh, wait. That’s not right.
The Tigers will actually take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day for a chance at advancing to the National Championship game.
It’s easy to get these two teams mixed up.
As we begin to get ready for Clemson’s matchup against Ohio State, we started by turning the film on. Well, there wasn’t much film to watch because, you know, there were only six games total. But, as we continued to look through the film of Ohio State and what this team has done against Big Ten opponents this season, something became clear:
This Ohio State team is really just Notre Dame.
There are some differences, but the similarities are also uncanny as Clemson football gets ready for this matchup
We’ll go ahead and get the differences out the way before talking about the similarities.
Differences:
- Justin Fields is probably a better QB and overall passer than Ian Book (though that can be debated)
- Ohio State has more team speed- on the edges- than what Notre Dame possesses f
- Notre Dame played 11 games, Ohio State only played six.
- Ohio State has a better wide receiver core than Notre Dame, but the Irish have the better tight end group
Similarities:
- Both teams have streaky quarterbacks who aren’t above making poor mistakes
- Both teams rely heavily on their front-seven
- Both teams have some deficiencies and question marks in the secondary
- Both teams have explosive running backs who are vital to their offensive attack
- While both offensive lines are physical, they lack some athleticism on the edges in pass-protection
When you look at Ian Book and Justin Fields, you can see similarities. Fields may be a step faster than Book, but it’s actually been Book who has made less mistakes with the football.
Even so, the most obvious way to describe this Ohio State team is simple: You’re facing a defense that is almost identical to Notre Dame’s (in terms of personnel groupings) with possibly a little less depth. And you’re facing an offense with an offensive line that is not as good, but a skill position group that is more dynamic.
The biggest similarity? Both teams need Clemson to make a few mistakes for them to beat the Tigers.
The overarching point? Clemson football beat Notre Dame the second time around because the Tigers were the better team. Ohio State will need some help to get over the hump and as long as the Tigers come out and execute, it’s going to be extremely difficult for the Buckeyes- no matter how motivated they might be– to win this game.