Ohio State Football: Secondary will be primary charge against Clemson
Defensive backs for the Ohio State football team and Clemson will be charged with trying to stop two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, along with the incredible talent level in both receiver units.
The Ohio State football program has produced some of the best DBs in college football throughout the years and Jeff Hafley’s group this year has been no different. Safety Jordan Fuller has led the DBs in tackles (57), but Jeffrey Okudah has been a dominant force in the secondary.
Okudah has given opposing wide receivers little room, showing his first-round potential with 4 INTs, 30 total tackles, 7 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles. Damon Arnette has been quiet statistically but has played lock down defense even through a broken wrist.
Shaun Wade has complimented Okudah and Arnette perfectly racking up 8 pass deflections, 25 tackles, 2 sacks and an INT for good measure.
The Buckeyes’ cornerbacks have shut down every offense they’ve faced, ranking second best in college football in passing yards allowed per game behind only Clemson, according to ESPN.
The Ohio State defense is a force to be reckoned with and players like Amir Reip, Sevyn Banks and the rest of the secondary have added to the lockdown defense of Okudah, Arnette, Fuller and Wade. This group has guided Ohio State to a Top 5 defense in almost every important category.
On the opposite side, Clemson has been just as good as Ohio State, if not better. Although the competition hasn’t been as strong as what the Buckeyes have faced, Brent Venables‘ defense has been dominant.
That dominance starts with how the Tigers DBs are able to shut down the passing game of opponents, ranking first in passing yards allowed per game. Safeties Tanner Muse (47 tackles, 4 INTs) and K’Von Wallace (58 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 PDs) have been the catalysts of the Tigers defense.
Buckeye receivers will be matched up against two of the best CBs in the ACC, Derion Kendrick and A.J. Terrell, who have combined for 32 solo tackles, 4 INTs and 4 pass PDs. Their lockdown coverage has led the way for a defense that has allowed just 138.5 passing yards per game.
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One of the obvious key match-ups in this game will be Okudah vs. Clemson WR Tee Higgins, but how All-ACC First Team CB A.J. Terrell defends Chris Olave will be something to keep an eye on to decide who wins the Fiesta Bowl.