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There’s one matchup specifically Kirk Herbstreit is looking forward to in Ohio State-Clemson game
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Ohio State is back in the College Football Playoff this season, ending a two-year drought for the Buckeyes and the B1G. And in the Fiesta Bowl, Ryan Day and company will be pitted against reigning national champion Clemson in one of the more intriguing games of the postseason.
Both Ohio State and Clemson rank in the top five nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense and both finished the year 13-0, winning their respective conference titles. There are plenty of interesting matchups to keep an eye on during the game.
There’s one matchup in particular that ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit is particularly intrigued to watch, though. He highlighted it while breaking down the Fiesta Bowl between the Buckeyes and Tigers.
“Jeff Okudah is the top corner in college football,” Herbstreit said. “He is 6-foot-1, and over 200 pounds and has tremendous length. You are going to see Jeffrey Okudah, Damon Arnette and Sean Wade, three outstanding corners against Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross. They are 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5. That is a great matchup and is kind of a game within a game, those corners against those receivers from Clemson.”
Higgins and Ross have been two of the most difficult receivers to defend in college football this season. Higgins totaled 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns and 52 catches. Ross has 55 receptions for 742 yards and eight touchdowns.
Okudah has been considered to be one of the best available players in the 2020 NFL Draft and one of the top secondary players in the sport this season. Arnette and Wade have also caused problems for quarterbacks and receivers, as well.
It should be an intriguing matchup, and one that could decide the winner of the Fiesta Bowl.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB