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Ryan Day explains what Justin Fields needs to do for Ohio State to beat Clemson

Ryan Williamson

By Ryan Williamson

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For the second time in as many years, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Justin Fields go up against Clemson with just one win separating the Buckeyes from a spot in the national championship game.

A season ago, it appeared as if Ohio State might have enough to knock off the Tigers. However, Clemson made a roaring comeback, leaving Fields and the Buckeyes heartbroken after a College Football Playoff semifinal loss. On Friday, Ohio State has a chance at some revenge against the Tigers. But it’s going to take everything the Buckeyes have, including a strong performance from Fields.

Prior to Friday’s Sugar Bowl matchup, Day appeared on College GameDay. The game was obviously the A topic. It didn’t take long for Fields to come up. Day was sure to mention how important Fields can be in this matchup.

As a Heisman finalist and highly-coveted draft prospect, Fields has earned praise from many, including his head coach.

“He’s a great quarterback and he’s a winner,” Day said of Fields. “His last game was kind of clunky. We kind of lost (wide receiver) Chris Olave a couple of days before the game so he never really got in a rhythm, but he’s played good this season.”

That game against Northwestern certainly didn’t help Fields gain any respect nationally, but he has a chance to redeem himself against Clemson.

“He’s put a lot of work in to play this season, and he’s only played in six games,” Day said. “We’re hoping he plays his best game of the tonight of the season. He doesn’t have to do anything extraordinary…his best is plenty good enough.”

Fields has always seemed to be put behind Tiger quarterback Trevor Lawrence in terms of best college football QBs. Fields has a chance to catch up in that race with a strong performance on Friday.

Ryan Williamson