College Football Playoff 2016: 5 keys to victory for Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl

Nov 12, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) scores a touchdown on a revers during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Don’t deviate from the running game

J.T. Barrett may need one of his best passing games of the season if Clemson comes out firing, but Ohio State’s bread and butter is still its running game. This features not only Barrett, but top running backs Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel. These three players combined for over 2,500 of the 3,100-plus rushing yards that OSU had this season and make up for what this team is best at.

To go with the tempo, Ohio State needs to run the ball if they get possession early and often to take Clemson off the field. Again, it goes back to Deshaun Watson, possibly the best player on either team. Keeping him on the sidelines can be done by using this running game to control the clock while also wearing out the tough Clemson front seven as soon as possible.

Ohio State needs one of their most balanced games on offense this season, something that would also result from continuing to use these running backs to full effect. Barrett can still get to nearly 275 yards or above while Weber and Samuel combine for over 125 yards on the ground. This would be their best chance of going against Clemson’s own balanced attack.

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