Ohio State Football: How RBs, O-Line stack up against Clemson

The Fiesta Bowl between the Ohio State football team and Clemson will live up to its name for each team’s RB as each star is among the best in CFB.

When J.K. Dobbins and Travis Etienne take the field for the Ohio State football team and Clemson on Dec. 28, they will have the opportunity to continue building on their impressive seasons and guide their team to the CFP National Championship Game.

Dobbins may have just missed on an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. However, he has still run for 1,829 yards and 20 touchdowns behind an offensive line for Ohio State that has not only paved the way for running room but created a perfect pocket and time to throw for Justin Fields.

Dobbins is a quick, shifty running back that has made jump-cuts his signature as he can weave between defenses with ease. He is able to put the Ohio State offense in an excellent position, which is that the opposing defense has to watch for the run from Dobbins, thus leaving receivers open and giving Fields the time he needs to make big plays in the air.

Though less than last year’s 263 yards, Dobbins is also a threat in the passing game, totaling 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season. Master Teague (780 rushing yards, 4 TDs) can also play some snaps and has shown that the Buckeyes are still a successful running team without Dobbins getting the bulk of the carries.

The Ohio State offensive line has allowed 31 sacks, compared to 17 allowed by Clemson, but is an experienced group, led by junior captain Thayer Munford at left tackle and seniors Jonah Jackson at left guard and Branden Bowen at right tackle. They have continually given Fields plenty of time to throw the ball and have created running room for Dobbins and Teague.

For Clemson, Travis Etienne is both physical and quick, bursting through opposing defenses for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with 298 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Although his impact on the stat sheet isn’t as large as that of Dobbins’, Etienne is certainly a threat in the Clemson backfield.

Lyn-J Dixon has also added 619 yards and six touchdowns, although, like Teague, most of those stats come in the second half once the Tigers have pulled away.

The offensive line for the Tigers is arguably the best in college football, allowing less than a sack per game. Led by four seniors and a superb sophomore, Chase Young and company will have their work cut out for them to get past the Tigers offensive line.

When the Buckeyes and Tigers meet in Glendale on Dec. 28, both teams will have running backs and offensive lines that have proven to be among the best in college football. They will look to make a major impact to decide one of the biggest games of the players’ lives at the Fiesta Bowl.