The Drought is Over
Caleb Downs scores Ohio State’s first punt return touchdown since 2014.
When Ohio State and Clemson meet Dec. 31, the Buckeyes will be facing what is arguably the best offense they’ve seen all season.
Led by a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback, the Tigers rack up yards and score points in a hurry as Deshaun Watson can choose from a stable of talented playmakers — any of whom can hurt opposing defenses on a given snap.
If there is a chink in the armor of Clemson’s offense this season, however, it is the turnover bug. The Tigers have committed 24 so far this year and Watson has 15 interceptions himself.
That’s certainly something Ohio State’s ballhawking defense is well aware of.
“I feel like it’s the mindset of good defenses, to create turnovers and great defenses score,” Buckeyes' All-American safety Malik Hooker said. “So, I feel like any time we get a turnover, everybody feels like, it’s almost obligated for us to score.”
The Buckeyes have a pretty good success rate this season, too.
Ohio State has 19 interceptions on the year. Its starting secondary — Hooker, Damon Webb, Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore — have 14 of those. Seven of those 19 interceptions have been returned for touchdowns.
“We just look at it like good defenses create takeaways and great defenses score,” Hooker said. “That’s been our mindset throughout the season and I feel like it definitely paid off.”
But despite their turnover issues, Watson and Co. may provide Ohio State with a much greater challenge.
Buckeyes co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has been around the block a bit, coaching both in college and in the NFL, and he said when he watches Watson on film he has a better understanding of the hype.
“He’s as talented a guy as we’ve faced and that’s no secret, probably,” Schiano said. “He’s got incredible arm strength. He’s a very mobile athlete. He doesn’t choose to run a ton, but when he does, he’s as good as there is running the ball.”
“Flick of the wrist, it’s 40 yards and pretty darn accurate," he continued. "He’s thrown 65 yards in the air on tape so I’m sure he can throw it 80 yards. He’s a freakish-type football player and there’s going to be several of those on that field that night — both teams.”
Those “freakish-type football players” are the weapons Watson has at his disposal. Clemson’s wide receivers — Mike Williams, Artavis Scott, Deon Cain, Hunter Renfrow and Ray-Ray McDonald — in addition to tight end Jordan Leggett make up an incredibly impressive group of skill players.
It’s not just Watson; there is NFL talent everywhere on this Clemson offense.
But Ohio State’s secondary certainly feels up to the challenge.
“We try to consider ourselves as next-level guys, too, so we’re not going to shy away from competition just because they’re next-level guys as well,” Lattimore said. “We’re just going to embrace it and go at it.”
So, with all of that talent, what’s up with all the turnovers?
Schiano explained.
“[Watson] has incredible confidence in his abilities and there’s not a window that he doesn’t think he can fit the ball in,” he said. “When I was a head coach I would always tell our quarterbacks — now, maybe you don’t want 15 interceptions — but if you’re not throwing interceptions, you’re not trying hard enough.”
Ohio State’s secondary refers to itself as BIA — Best in America.
And if the Buckeyes are going to beat Clemson on New Year’s Eve, that unit must do what it has done all season: create turnovers. Conversely, Watson and the Tigers are going to need to do something they’ve struggled with all season: eliminate mistakes.
It will truly be a fascinating matchup to watch in this game.
“May the best man win,” Lattimore said.
