I've been plotting Clemson's death since the clock hit zero last year.
Clemson cheated death last year. And now death's walking right out that visitor's tunnel to set things right.
I don't care if the Tigers have the better team. I don't care if this is a bad matchup for the Buckeyes. I don't care if Ohio State is missing a couple of players. I don't care if Clemson is favored by more than a touchdown. All that matters to me is that there's been a grave dug for Dabo and the Tigers since the first quarter of last game, and they're about to get shoved back into it.
I've seen a lot of doom and gloom predictions from even the most faithful of my Buckeye brethren, and I frankly don't get it.
Ohio State's riding into this game with:
- a quarterback who threw for more touchdowns than incompletions through the first three games
- a running back who rushed for 331 yards (190 of which came after contact) the last time he touched the field
- a pair of wide receivers that are each averaging more than 100 yards per game
- one of the most talented offensive lines in the country led by a consensus All-American
- the most dominant interior defensive line seen at Ohio State in years
- one of the most veteran linebacking corps in the country that has frankly been playing its ass off this year
- a coach who already told the team exactly what's going to happen in this game, if you catch my drift
- all the motivation in the world after *gestures broadly at the past year*
And y'all are scared?
I don't have time for that. I've been dreaming of what the Buckeyes were going to do to this gouch-grabbing, PED-distributing, sign-stealing ass team since last year's game ended.
In a few hours, I'm going to be maniacally transcribing Dabo Swinney's postgame press conference for your schadenfreude consumption.
Today is Buckeye Christmas. Start celebrating early.
Word of the Day: Vindicate.
SATURDAY SLATE. It ain't your typical college football Saturday, but it'll do.
| Bowl | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 9 Georgia vs. 8 Cincinnati |
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA |
12:00 pm |
|
Vrbo Citrus Bowl Auburn vs. 14 Northwestern |
Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL |
1:00 pm |
|
Rose Bowl Game 4 Notre Dame vs. 1 Alabama |
AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX |
4:00 pm |
|
Allstate Sugar Bowl 3 Ohio State vs. 2 Clemson |
Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA |
8:00 pm |
REFS. I should not have to be consciously aware and concerned about the game's referees but after last year I want to see what I'm gonna be working with.
And I think I've got good news.
Official kickoff time for tomorrow's Sugar Bowl is 8:20 p.m. ET/7:20 p.m. CT. Buckeyes will arrive at the stadium at 5:25 p.m. CT.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 1, 2021
Also of note: The officials for tomorrow night's game are from the Big 12 Conference.
Last year's crew was an SEC crew and the Pac-12 crews are notoriously and hilariously terrible. So this is... the best possible option?
PUNTER BACK? It looks like Chris Olave ain't the only starter the Buckeyes are getting back today.
Our Mormon punter is back, baby!
— Drue Chrisan (@DChrisman91) December 31, 2020
To be honest, this isn't going to matter at all because there's not a damn chance he's going to punt today, but at least we got our first-team holder back!
Clemson better be shaking in its boots.
ONE LAST TIME. I have no idea what my record is this season and neither do you. But I'm nearly positive I have a winning record, so you're welcome for the free money.
- Cincinnati +7 against Georgia. The better, more well-rounded team is a 7-point underdog. I'll take it.
- Northwestern -3.5 against Auburn. In no world does Auburn play Northwestern within three points. I know there's no analysis there, but I shouldn't need to because this is just so damn obvious.
- Alabama -19.5 against Notre Dame. One of these teams is the most dominant team in college football so far and one of them barely belongs in the playoff. This is a lopsided line, but it's going to be more than a lopsided game. It'll be 21-10 with Notre Dame hanging around , then all of a sudden it'll be 42-10.
- Ohio State +7 against Clemson. Dabo's getting buried six feet deep. Bet the moneyline if you're feeling wild. Pay your rent.
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