Playstation Fiesta Bowl - CFP Semifinal: #3 Clemson 29, #2 Ohio State 23 (Final)

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No. 2 Buckeyes open as underdogs to Clemson https://t.co/8XN0pTkQzm

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) December 8, 2019

 

No #1 seed entering the playoff has ended up as champs..........

2018: No. 2 Clemson over No. 1 Alabama (44-16)
2017: No. 4 Bama over No. 3 UGA (26-23)
2016: No. 2 Clemson over No. 1 Bama (35-31)
2015: No. 2 Bama over No. 1 Clemson (45-40)
2014: No. 4 Ohio State over No. 2 Oregon (42-20)

 

Ohio State is the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff and will face No. 3 Clemson on Dec. 28: https://t.co/7kGM9aVoIB

— Zack Carpenter (@Zack_Carp) December 8, 2019

 

Day said he thought Clemson had a case to be the No. 1 seed too, and now the Buckeyes have to put all of their focus on preparing for Clemson. At the end of the day, you have to beat the best to go win the national championship."

 

Day notes that Clemson is the defending champion and it hasn't lost since, so it's going to be a huge challenge to play the Tigers.

 

Day said there's a strong case that Clemson has been the best defensive team in the country over the past five years. He described Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables as "innovative." "He does a great job."

 

Day said Ohio State will use the 31-0 loss to Clemson in 2016 as a "reference point," but doesn't think it will be a huge motivating factor because this year's team is very different than that team.

 

Day said the Buckeyes will treat this week like a bye week, the following week will be treated like a game week, then they will allow the players to go home for a couple days before traveling to the Fiesta Bowl and having another game week of preparation there.

 

Day said the Buckeyes are "OK" health-wise right now with no major injuries.

 

"Our guys see ourselves as being the best in the country, so the moment won't be too big for them."

 

Ryan Day:

• "First off, I just want to say what an honor is for us to go to the Fiesta Bowl, one of the most prestigious bowls in the entire country."
• On Clemson: "We have the utmost respect for what they've done, not only winning national championships but continuing that excellence ... We're looking forward to a tremendous challenge, because not only are they talented, they're very well-coached."
• "I thought we finished the season strong, especially the last three games."
• Day said he thinks college football should "definitely consider" playoff expansion so that all the Power 5 conference champions get a chance to compete for a national title.
• On Clemson: "Trevor Lawrence is as good of a quarterback as there is in the country. Etienne is as explosive a running back as there is in the country." Also said Clemson wide receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross are dynamic. On defense, "I think Brent Venables does as good job as anybody in the country."
• On Ohio State: "I think you're talking about a team that has a lot of great love for each other. A lot of great leadership, discipline and maturity ... love and toughness are the things that make the difference."
• Asked whether Brendon White would be back for the playoff, Ryan Day said he would have conversations with White this week and would go from there. Day said earlier Sunday that White did not travel to the Big Ten Championship Game due to "personal reasons."

 

Dabo Swinney:

• On Ohio State: "They've been unbelievable. One of the most dominant teams, every week, all year long, and that's an unbelievable accomplishment. Talented on both sides of the ball."
• On the criticism the ACC has faced this year: "I don't care what league you're in, it's incredibly difficult to win them all."
• Swinney said he has watched Ohio State play "several times" this year because of how often the Buckeyes played at noon. "They're just impressive. Built in the trenches, impressive on both sides. They've got as good of players as there is in college football."
• On Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields: "Their quarterback has been amazing."
• Swinney said he believes his team has played "extremely well" and has been dominant all season, even early in the year, though he acknowledged they had some issues with turnovers early in the year.
• On Alabama missing the College Football Playoff this year: "I guarantee you they'll be back real soon."
• Audio issues with Swinney's end of the call made it difficult to hear many of his answers.