DEC. 26TH, 2019–JAN. 1ST, 2020 PHOENIX NEW TIMES NEW TIMES 2019 BOWL GUIDE SPECIAL RETAIL SECTION phoenixnewtimes.com OSU matches up with Clemson better than any team the Tigers have faced all year, and that doesn’t say much. Swinney’s squad was really only tested once in the weak ACC—an anemic one-point win over a mediocre UNC squad (6-6)—and orange detractors cite this as a big black eye going into the semifinal. Well, cite away, detractors, because this same song has been sung about the Tigers every year they’ve been a contender, and after two titles in the last three years, it just doesn’t carry water anymore. Though their ACC contemporaries may not be up to snuff, the destroyers from Death Valley regularly stomp them in convincing fashion, proving weekly that they are on a different, higher level, and deserve to be recognized for it. Moreover, the relative cake walk promotes a healthy team going into the big game—Clemson has two injured players on their roster while their opponents from the black-and-blue Big 10 Conference will be sitting roughly ten. Running the offensive show again for Clemson is the core trio that combined for five touchdowns and over 500 yards in last year’s Championship win over Alabama: sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence (34 TD, 8 INT, 244 yds/g), junior RB Travis Etienne (17 TD, 115.4 yds/g) and junior WR Tee Higgins (13 TD, 83.2 yds/g). Holding down the other side of the line is the country’s best linebacker and winner of the Butkus Award, junior LB Isaiah Simmons (14 TFL, 7 S, 91 T), junior DB A.J. Terrell (2 INT, 2 QB hurries) and freshman DT Tyler Davis (5.5 S, 8 TFL, 37 T). Despite being underclassmen, this is probably the last time on the field together for all of these players: the freshman will stay put, the juniors will likely declare for the NFL draft, and sophomore Lawrence, a likely high first-round pick in 2021, is rumored to be considering sitting his junior year to preserve his body. So come December 28th, the Tigers may have the emotional edge over the Buckeyes, albeit small. ‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends’ is a sentimental psychological advantage that could be the difference in a tight, emotional game. Prediction: Clemson 35, OSU 31 48
