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

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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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Sam Darnold passes for 300-plus, doesn’t turn ball over

One major knock on Sam Darnold all season long is that he has been unable to protect the ball, throwing far too many interceptions. In fact, he had 31 touchdown passes and just nine picks all of last season, but he’s up to 12 interceptions and 26 touchdowns through the air this year.

Darnold’s completion rate even dropped about 3.5 percent from a season ago, but there’s still talk of the USC gunslinger being picked No. 1 overall in the upcoming NFL draft.

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Ohio State’s defense could give Darnold fits, but the redshirt sophomore is looking to improve his stock and solidify himself as the top quarterback in the upcoming draft. He’s going to have his second straight strong game with 300-plus yards and three touchdowns.

Darnold passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns in the Pac-12 title game, but expect him to have an equally impressive showing against the Buckeyes, not turning the ball over. He will end the season with just two interceptions in his final six games. Not too shabby.

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