Allstate Sugar Bowl-CFP Semifinal: How to watch, keys, predictions

The Sugar Bowl between Clemson and Ohio State should be a classic and here’s how to watch, keys to victory and a final prediction.

The definition of a blue blood depends on the criteria used to rate one. The scale should be relied on conference success, national success, NFL draft picks, and recruiting. There are just a handful of teams that fit the mold and these two programs do. They will face off on the night cap of New Year’s.

For Clemson, they had a chance on missing out on the CFP, heading into conference championship weekend. A double OT loss to Notre Dame, without Trevor Lawrence was the lone loss in the season. They avenged the loss with a 34-10 drumming of the Fighting Irish with Lawrence returning.

After giving up 170 yards and three touchdowns to Kyren Williams in the first game, he was shut down. In the ACC title game, Williams had just 50 yards on 15 attempts. It was an anomaly for the Tigers, as they most they’ve given up all year was to Boston College. It was the first game without Lawrence and Phil Jurkovec only threw for 50 percent on the day.

Offensively, Clemson is lead by the potential #1 overall pick in the NFL draft with Lawrence. Quite possibly, the best running back in Clemson history in Travis Etienne and is rounded out by future first round pick and leading receiver, Amari Rodgers.

Clemson dominated the ACC once again and did it on both sides of the ball. It finished 3rd in the nation with 44.9 points per game and over 500 yards on offense. Defensively, Clemson has been stellar, ranking near the Top 10 in points per game allowed.

The difference this year, has been the amount of youth Clemson has won with. The entire D-Line is underclassmen, headlined by freshman phenoms Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy.

Junior LB Baylon Spector is the leading tackler and senior safety Nolan Turner leads the secondary. Turner ranks second on the team in tackles and leads the team in interceptions with three. Turner is familiar with Fields as he ended the Buckeyes hopes at a national championship, just one year ago.

One of the biggest developments over the past 24 hours has been the loss of OC Tony Elliot. Elliot has become unavailable for the Sugar Bowl, due to COVID-19. HC Dabo Swinney has not announced a replacement and might not until the day of the game. Elliot has been with at Clemson since 2011 and been the OC since 2015.

For Ohio State, there is a feeling of a chip on the shoulder of the Big 10 champions. The Big 10 made the decision to call the season off in August. Only for that to be called off and begin play a week before Halloween.

Even with only having one win over a team with a winning record and five games, they were rewarded a Big 10 championship. With 22 players out due to COVID, Ohio State survived Northwestern, 22-10.

Justin Fields returns for his final season and is an expected Top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. Fields has thrown five interceptions on the season. Those five have been in two games against their best opponents on the season.

Fields struggled mightily against Northwestern, throwing for 114 and zero touchdowns to two interceptions. It was however a heroic Trey Sermon effort that stole the show. The Oklahoma transfer had his best game of his career, rushing for 331 yards and two touchdowns.

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The Ohio State receivers are led by Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Although Olave is the veteran, but WIlson has the higher season and the more complete receiver. The sophomore from Lake Travis, Texas has caught 38 passes for 621 yards and five touchdowns. With catches like this, expect Wilson to be a high draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ohio State’s defense played well, crushing the Wildcats passing game and limited the Wildcats to under 150 rushing yards. The secondary has been suspect and gave up a lot of yards to Michael Penix Jr. They looked improved in the area and will have to play their best game against Lawrence to avenge the loss last season.

Here’s how to watch the Sugar Bowl matchup between the Tigers and the Buckeyes.

Date: January, 1

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Stream: ESPN+

Betting Line:

Keys to a victory:

For Clemson, the key is to force Fields make erratic decisions. Fields made minimal mistakes last season and was very patient in going through progressions. When pressured this season, Fields has not been the same.

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Clemson has forced 24 turnovers on the season and it comes from many different players. Clemson can capitalize on mistakes, it’s up to them to create them. Fields was dealing with a lingering injury in the Northwestern game. If that has an effect in this game, Clemson could shut down the Buckeyes offense.

This is a situation where surprise could very well back fire on the team game planning for it. Elliot has called plays since 2015, dating back to when Lawrence was just starting high school. What to expect from Clemson might be a surprise and difficult for Ohio State.

Although Clemson is slightly less deep at receiver than they normally are, Clemson still has their fair share of weapons. Ty Fryfogle had a field day against Ohio State and Rodgers is capable of having a big day. Shaun Wade has been the captain of the secondary, but has a less than desirable season.

The defensive unit as a whole is young and is going against a very experienced Clemson offense.  Lawrence passed for 259 yards and two touchdowns, alongside 107 rushing yards and a touchdown in the last meeting. Adjust to the game planning and Ohio State has a real shot.

Predictions:

The matchup last season featured a back and forth affair, with a communication issue that ended it. The narrative has been that Ohio State is not worthy of a Playoff spot and has not looked like a team to contend.

Clemson has a ton of experienced playmakers and many players up to national awards. Etienne, Rodgers, and even young players like freshman E.J. Williams.

Even with the youth, Ohio State is very talented and features a plethora of impact players on both sides of the football. Experience will reign supreme though in the Sugar Bowl and even without their OC, the Tigers will pull out a win. Marking their third straight appearance in the National Championship game.