Whether or not either is the best remains to be seen. What isn't up for debate is that these two are the most well-rounded teams in the playoff. Both the Buckeyes and Tigers are top 10 in nearly every important category, on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and each has immense talent at the quarterback position -- Justin Fields for OSU and Trevor Lawrence for Clemson. They grew up 50 miles apart in Georgia and were the top two prizes of the 2016 recruiting season, and each can make plays.
Like the other semifinal, the quarterbacks may get the most attention, but the game will come down to which teams shuts down the run game the best. Both JK Dobbins for OSU and Travis Etienne are among the top backs in the country, and whichever has the bigger night will likely be helping his team move on to the championship game.
FIESTA BOWL
(2) Ohio State (13-0) vs. (3) Clemson (13-0)
BETTING NUMBERS: Clemson -2, TOTAL 63
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
BOWL RECORD: 24-25
BOWL RECORD vs Clemson: 0-3
RECORD vs Clemson: 0-3
AP/BCS/CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5 (1942/1954/1968/2002/2014)
JEFF SAGARIN SOS: 14
RUSHING OFFENSE: 5.67 YPC (6TH)
PASSING OFFENSE: 9.34 YPA (9TH)
TOTAL OFFENSE: 7.02 YPP (5TH)
SCORING OFFENSE: 48.7 (1ST)
POINTS PER PLAY: 0.643 (3RD)
POINTS PER POSSESSION: 3.981 (1ST)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 56.97 (1ST)
RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 81.94 (3RD)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS: 91 (5TH)
TIMES SACKED PER ATTEMPT: 0.079 (T-94TH)
RUSHING DEFENSE: 2,82 YPC (6TH)
PASSING DEFENSE: 5.35 YPA (2ND)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 3.93 YPP (2ND)
SCORING DEFENSE: 12.5 (T-2ND)
POINTS ALLOWED PER PLAY: 0.199 (3RD)
POINTS ALLOWED PER POSSESSION: 0.976 (2ND)
OPP THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 28.65 (4TH)
OPP RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 39.29 (4TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS ALLOWED: 38 (T-7TH)
SACKS PER ATTEMPT: 0.122 (1ST)
TURNOVER MARGIN: +11 (T-9TH)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON OFFENSE
Justin Fields gets all the headlines, but JK Dobbins is the guy who truly makes this offense go. The junior has run like a man on a mission all season, showing equal parts power and elusiveness. His ability to get skinny in the hole and jump cut in space will challenge Clemson's athletic but sometimes overaggressive front seven, and he has the ability to take it to the house. Fields hasn't seen a defense this good all season, especially on the back end. He may need to run the ball more than he wants to, and it's unknown how effective he'll be as he's worked in practice with a brace on his left knee. He said in press conferences that he was around 85 percent, but teammates claim he has looked close to full speed. A mobile Fields will put much more pressure on Clemson to get home. Look for the Buckeyes to employ more underneath passing as its unlikely to find much open downfield against Clemson's sticky coverage. The Buckeyes offensive line has been a force in the run game, but has also shown a susceptibility to blitzes -- and that's what Clemson DC Brent Venables loves. He brings heat from all angles, and has involved the linebackers more this year than in previous seasons. If the Buckeyes can't hold up in the trenches it could be a very long night, another reason it might be a good idea to play a lot of 10 personnel and use the quick passing game.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON DEFENSE
It's fair to say Ohio State's offense hasn't seen defensive skill like it will see in Clemson, but the same is true for Clemson's offense -- there isn't a group in the ACC that has the athletes to hold up against the Tigers, but the Buckeyes have them at every level. DC Jeff Hafley has been a miracle worker repairing Ohio State's defense, which was top five in most important categories. Chase Young grabs the headlines, and with good reason. He led the nation in sacks despite missing two games, and has played his best on the biggest stage. If Clemson decides to be brave and block him with just a single lineman, Young should shine. The rest of the line has been good, too, staying true to its gap control principles. That's a big reason why Ohio State has been so much better against the run -- it's scheme and principles allow guys to get upfield. The Buckeyes linebacking corps is good but not great, but has shown more physicality than recent groups. They can all hit, but Clemson's speed will present problems. It's the back end where the most fascinating battles will take place. Jeff Okudah has the size and skill to shut down any of Clemson's receivers, and Damon Arnette on the other side isn't far behind. The X-factor is Shaun Wade, who has been great covering slot guys and has unusual instincts for the football. A healthy Wade means the Buckeyes can move their sets up front and be selective in their blitzes. The Buckeyes have employed a single-high safety look for most of the season, and its paid off as few teams have been able to hit big plays. Simple has been better this year, so don't look for the Buckeyes to change very much at this stage.
OUTLOOK
Conventional wisdom said the Buckeyes would take a step back after Urban Meyer walked away from the coaching profession. The man was ridiculously successful in his time in Columbus, and cast a large shadow over anyone who followed. That's what makes Ryan Day's inaugural season as OSU coach all the more amazing -- the Buckeyes have looked more focused, less panicked and more well-rounded than any team Meyer had, and that's in no small part to Day. He appears to have the credentials to keep Ohio State among the nation's elite for the foreseeable future, but he's worried most about the immediate future. Namely facing Clemson. Day knows how difficult it will be to take down the champs, but it isn't as if the Buckeyes are lacking in talent. They have the best defensive player in FBS in DE Chase Young, who will either harass Trevor Lawrence or will be double teamed routinely, allowing a teammate to wreak havoc. The Buckeyes have strength on the back end, and will need to jam Clemson's giant receivers off the line. If they allow the hands guys to run free it's over. Justin Fields has been extremely resourceful with the football, throwing just one interception all season. He'll be pressured like never before by Clemson DC Brent Venables, so Day will need to have his screen and short passing plays dialed up. Hit a few of those and the pressure stops, which could open up rushing lanes for JK Dobbins. If Ohio State's sometimes shaky offensive line can hold up against Clemson's blitz packages it will have success. But that may be easier said than done.
CLEMSON TIGERS
BOWL RECORD: 24-20
BOWL RECORD vs Ohio State: 3-0
RECORD vs Ohio State: 3-0
AP/BCS/CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1981/2016/2018)
JEFF SAGARIN SOS: 62
RUSHING OFFENSE: 6.08 YPC (1ST)
PASSING OFFENSE: 8.61 YPA (19TH)
TOTAL OFFENSE: 7.26 YPP (4TH)
SCORING OFFENSE: 46.5 (4TH)
POINTS PER PLAY: 0.618 (4TH)
POINTS PER POSSESSION: 3.461 (5TH)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 47.44 (14TH)
RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 75.00 (T-9TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS: 88 (7TH)
TIMES SACKED PER ATTEMPT: 0.031 (T-5TH)
RUSHING DEFENSE: 2.95 YPC (8TH)
PASSING DEFENSE: 5.13 YPA (1ST)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 3.91 YPP (1ST)
SCORING DEFENSE: 10.6 (1ST)
POINTS ALLOWED PER PLAY: 0.166 (1ST)
POINTS ALLOWED PER POSSESSION: 0.822 (1ST)
OPP THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 30.81 (13TH)
OPP RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 40.00 (T-5TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS ALLOWED: 28 (1ST)
SACKS PER ATTEMPT: 0.104 (6TH)
TURNOVER MARGIN: +14 (T-6TH)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON OFFENSE
Facing Clemson is truly a "pick your poison" scenario for defensive coordinators. Do you focus on stopping Trevor Lawrence and his absurdly accurate deep ball skill, which means Travis Etienne will have room to run? Or do you load up to stop Etienne and have Lawrence beat you over the top? These are questions that have likely kept OSU DC Jeff Hafley up nights, but considering how much Ohio State has improved its defense from 2018 it's quite possible he has a few surprises up his sleeve. Clemson loves to play fast and attack, and Etienne is as dangerous as they come in open space. He has great speed, but is also adept at forcing missed tackles. If he gets free he's gone. The Tigers wideouts are 6-4, 6-4 and 6-5 across the line, and have speed to go with their imposing size. Add in the return of TE Braden Galloway, who can stretch the middle of the field, and you see that Ohio State has its hands full. Clemson's offensive line has been very good, but offers a ray of hope for OSU -- Lawrence has struggled when a dominant defensive end has beaten his tackles, so you can bet the Tigers will be tracking Chase Young on every play. Look for OSU to employ Young in more different looks than at any time this season -- stand up end, inside to utilize his quickness advantage, with his hand down on both sides of the formation. If Clemson can handle him without help from a running back or tight end it will be sitting pretty, and the entire playbook will be open. Lawrence processes information like a veteran, so he's not going to be thrown when Ohio State switches from its base to nickel to dime.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON DEFENSE
The Tigers still create pressure, but not as effortlessly as they did last season with their all-world defensive front. Freshman DT Tyler Davis has been a revelation, though, and will battle with OSU All-America guard Wyatt Davis. There has been a lot more three-man fronts in 2019, which has allowed the linebacking corps to bring more heat. Last season they were more assistants, but this year they have been right in the middle of things. Isaiah Simmons is the man who makes the linebacking corps hum, being employed all over the field. He's physical enough to take on lineman as an edge rusher and fast enough to play coverage on receivers. His versatility is a huge part of why Clemson's defense is so good, but he's just one part. Brent Venables has employed more different packages this season, to best take advantage of his personnel. He'll blitz from all levels, and his players are seldom out of position because they understand their roles. They don't try to do too much because they know the guy next to them has his responsibility handled. The Tigers secondary has been more aggressive this season, which has resulted in more interceptions. AJ Terrell is the standout, but safeties K'Von Wallace and Tanner Muse won all-league honors and are equally adept against the run or the pass. The Tigers have relied mostly on their time-tested Cover 4, one reason they have given up the fewest explosive plays in FBS. The Clemson D is ridiculously athletic, so it will be a huge challenge for Ohio State to get it back on its heels. And when Clemson goes to its dime package, which puts Simmons in coverage, there is even more speed on the field.
OUTLOOK
Heavy is the head that wears the crown -- except when you're Clemson. Dabo Swinney has been telling anyone who'll listen that his team is being disrespected -- never mind that the Tigers are favored despite being a lower seed. His "aw shucks" act is wearing pretty thin, but people know why he does it. He has to get his team engaged, especially after a season in which it played almost no one. On the way to the Fiesta Bowl the Tigers were uncommonly special, showing ferocity on offense and on defense. Trevor Lawrence had eight interceptions at the seasons' midway point, and still has eight interceptions. So he's been really good the last part of the season. Clemson has a warehouse full of tall, physical receivers and the nation's most explosive runner in Etienne. If Ohio State can't corral him it's going to be a long night. Despite the loss of its entire defensive front to the NFL, the Tigers may be better as whole than last year. Simmons is a real wild card, lining up as an edge rusher, as a conventional linebacker with speed and tracking ability and as a safety in coverage. He may be the most versatile defensive player in college football, and his play will determine whether or not Clemson can contain Ohio State's variety of weapons. Don't overlook the experience factor -- all of these guys have been here before, most multiple times. They won't be rattled by the bright lights, which means they should be firing on all cylinders. The Tigers have been the nation's best program for the past three years, and a repeat national title would put them into some rarefied air. They certainly have the ability to do it.
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