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Ohio State Football: 3 Predictions for the Sugar Bowl

By Frank Teriaca

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads the team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.ghows-OH-200819694-4c79cbeb.jpg
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads the team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.ghows-OH-200819694-4c79cbeb.jpg /
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The Ohio State football team meets up with the Clemson Tigers for a chance to play in a national championship. Here are three predictions for the game.

The Clemson Tigers open as 7.5 point favorites over the Ohio State football team when the two sides meet up on New Year’s Day. A rematch of the national semi-final of last season, Buckeye coach Ryan Day looks to reach his first National Championship Game with a victory.

However, this will be a tough task for Ohio State to accomplish. Clemson is rolling right now after dismantling Notre Dame in the ACC Championship. And the Buckeyes have clearly not played their best ball thus far this season.

Justin Fields needs to get back to form after a rough Big Ten Championship performance. And while Ohio State certainly felt like the better team on the field in last season’s matchup, the reverse could be said this year. But as we saw in last season’s Fiesta Bowl, the better team does not always win.

Let’s be clear, the Buckeyes need to play to their capabilities in order to win. But a few lucky bounces of the ball could help as well. Here are three predictions for the Sugar Bowl.

Prediction No. 1: Justin Fields bounces back strong

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is coming off arguably the worst performance in his career. Completing only 12 of 27 pass attempts for 114 yards and two interceptions, Fields was bailed out by running back Trey Sermon in the Big Ten Championship against Northwestern.

The game was very unbecoming of Fields as he usually plays at his best when the lights are the brightest. Fields was outstanding in last year’s Fiesta Bowl against Clemson completing 30 of 46 passes for 320 yards and he had a QBR of 88.3. Let’s not also forget that Fields was clearly hurt in that game as well.

For Ohio State to have a chance, Justin Fields will have to play his best game of the season. Reciever Chris Olave should be back for this game after missing the Big Ten Championship over Covid-19 protocol.  Add the fact that the Clemson defense is not as talented as it was a season ago and that could spell good things for the Scarlet and Gray.

I predict a big night from Fields. 330 yards passing, three touchdowns in the air to go along with another 65 yards rushing. But will that be enough to give Ohio State the victory?

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