Fiesta Bowl Prediction - Tigers vs. Buckeyes

No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State square off in the
CFB Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
(Photo courtesy CFB Playoff)

We are less than 24 hours from kickoff of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State. BENched took at look at the matchups of Clemson's defense vs. Ohio State's offense and the Tigers offense vs. the Buckeyes defense the past couple days.

Now, it's time to predict who wins the game.

These two teams have had eerily similar seasons, with several blowout wins mixed in with too many close calls. The Tigers last left University of Phoenix Stadium with an empty feeling in their stomachs. Dabo Swinney and his team want to atone for the loss in the national title game. Ohio State also played in Glendale last year, taking down Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes hope they will leave Arizona with another 'W'. Either team that wins this one will head to Tampa with full confidence that it can win the national championship. So who will walk away victorious?

We noted that there is a virtual draw between the Tigers high-octane offense and the Buckeyes lockdown defense. Perhaps a big play here or there will be made on either side. But it appears if either team has an advantage somewhere it would be Clemson's defense.

Deshaun Watson will be the difference in the Fiesta Bowl.
(Photo courtesy Clemson Athletics)

Ohio State is going to force Clemson to stop the run. The Tigers big front welcomes that challenge. The Buckeyes are going to bust a couple big plays. It's happened all year to Clemson from Dalvin Cook to James Conner to Matt Dayes. There have been several busts and Curtis Samuel or Mike Weber will get loose.

But it won't happen all night. And Deshaun Watson and his offense are on a mission. Through his entire career, Watson has been at his best against the best. There is some unfinished business the Tigers want to close. With the best player on the field, Clemson gets it done.

Score Prediction: Clemson 34, Ohio State 27