Playoff: Why Clemson will win beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl

Corrections/clarifications: A preview version of this story included an incorrect class for defensive end Christian Wilkins.

 PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. – What’s the simplest reason why Clemson will defeat Ohio State and advance to the national championship game on Jan. 9?

Because the Tigers have Deshaun Watson, and the Buckeyes don’t.

With all due respect to Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett, Alabama’s Jalen Hurts and Washington’s Jake Browning, the Tigers have the best quarterback in the College Football Playoff. More than ever before, success in this sport is driven by elite quarterback play – and Clemson will get just that from Watson, as it has throughout his three seasons under center.

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But that’s not the only reason why Clemson should defeat Ohio State to meet one of Washington or Alabama, with the latter potential pairing a rematch of last season’s title game.

The Tigers are outstanding on offense altogether, and never better when Watson is finding one of his many talented wide receivers. The best is junior Mike Williams, an All-America honoree, but Watson can also distribute the football to junior Artavis Scott and sophomores Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and Deon Cain.

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Finding big play downfield against the Buckeyes’ secondary would open things up for running back Wayne Gallman, who has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons. That the Tigers can be electric in both offensive phases will stress even Ohio State’s top-notch defense.

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Where Clemson may truly excel in the matchup against Ohio State is in the trenches, with a defensive line that features a wave of 300-pound behemoths in sophomore Carlos Watkins, sophomore Christian Wilkins and true freshman Dexter Lawrence. If these linemen win up front, forcing Barrett and the Buckeyes’ passing game to move the football alone, Clemson may just cruise to a double-digit win.

That may be easier said than done. Still, Clemson seemingly has more avenues to victory than does Ohio State, which must find a way to force Watson into mistakes and slow down the Tigers’ high-powered offense.