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Ohio State Football: 5 bold predictions for Cotton Bowl vs. USC

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Safety Damon Webb #7 and defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle #93 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Safety Damon Webb #7 and defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle #93 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State football will face off against USC in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. Here are five of our very boldest predictions for the matchup.

A year ago, Ohio State was playing for a national title, but was bounced in the first round of the playoff by a red-hot Clemson team, 31-0. The Buckeyes were completely out-matched and out-coached, and it showed. Conversely, USC went on to win the Rose Bowl in comeback fashion, putting the Trojans on the map for 2017 national title contention.

Both teams expected to be in the College Football Playoff this season, but the Big Ten and Pac-12 champs were left out. The Trojans struggled at times in 2017 and didn’t quite live up to the hype while Ohio State did the same, but finished as the No. 5 team in the polls, just missing out thanks to Alabama.

They’ll match up for an intriguing Dec. 29 game in Texas for the Cotton Bowl. This game seems to be exciting each year and the 2017 edition will be no different.

What will happen during Friday evening’s Cotton Bowl Classic?

5. Buckeyes hold Ronald Jones II in check

Ohio State’s run defense has been one of the best in the country, which is good for seventh in the country.  The Buckeyes are one of four Big Ten teams to crack the top-10 in terms of rushing defense and that’s impressive given the fact that the conference has been known as run-heavy.

Ronald Jones II, on the other hand, has had quite the season for the Trojans, rushing for 1,486 yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per touch. He has posted career-bests in yards and touchdowns and tied his yards per carry mark from a season ago. He also proved to be a better receiver out of the backfield with 187 yards and a touchdown on 14 catches.

However, he will struggle against this strong Ohio State run defense, ending his streak of five straight 100-plus yard games. He’s going to be one of the best running backs to enter the NFL draft whenever he decides to come out, presumably this season, but he will have a sour finish to his junior campaign.

Sam Darnold will feel the pressure as he will be relied on more to get the job done with the run game failing to gain any traction. Jones II will finish with 52 yards on 16 carries, failing to reach the end zone on the ground.

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