Ohio State will look to protect its suspect secondary. It will make sure to stay home on Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he ran for 107 yards a year ago. But you can’t take away everything, and that will lead to a huge day for Travis Etienne, the dynamic senior running back who set career-highs this year with 44 receptions for 524 yards in addition to averaging 5.6 yards per carry and rushing for 13 touchdowns.

Justin Fields keeps pace. All the experts and mock draft gurus who were suddenly doubting Fields, the Ohio State quarterback, after his subpar performance against Northwestern will have a vastly different opinion after he nearly matches Trevor Lawrence score for score. The return of go-to receiver Chris Olave makes a difference. His big arm and athletic prowess will be on display — elite skills that could make Fields a Jet in April.

Pressure will be on. Clemson doesn’t have one big pass-rushing star on defense, but it still can get after the quarterback, producing 44 sacks, the second-most in the country. The Tigers front seven will make life difficult for Fields, with true freshman Myles Murphy (four sacks, three fumble recoveries) leading the way with a key strip-sack.

The Buckeyes will wear down. All the talk about Ohio State playing just six games will be somewhat prophetic, and they will make mistakes. Clemson has nearly played twice as many games. That’s invaluable experience Ohio State could really use, not to mention it will have several players returning who didn’t play in the Big Ten championship game due to COVID-19 protocols. There is bound to be rust.

Clemson keeps winning. Lawrence is the best player on the field for the second straight season in this game, torching Ohio State’s questionable defense through the air and on the ground, to reach the title game for the third time in as many years. The Buckeyes and their fans will be having nightmares of the long-haired future Sunday star for months. Clemson 38, Ohio State 27.

Clemson 38, Ohio State 27