Orange Bowl 2015: Factors That Will Decide Oklahoma vs. Clemson Playoff Matchup
The Clemson Tigers are the No. 1 team in the nation. They're quarterbacked by Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson, but the team is still a 3.5-point underdog against the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Eve, per Odds Shark.
Why are the Tigers not getting the respect that a No. 1-ranked 13-0 team should receive? Part of the reason is that Oklahoma is really good. Since the Sooners' egregious loss to the Texas Longhorns on October 10, the team has not only won seven games in a row, but only one opponent has managed to stay within 10 points of them on the final scoreboard.
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How can Clemson hand the Sooners their second defeat and march into the CFP National Championship? It'll start in the trenches and end with ball protection. Here's a look at the key factors for both teams heading into the Orange Bowl.
Run the Ball
When Texas defeated Oklahoma, it did so with a dominant run game, as the Longhorns rushed for 313 yards on 58 carries. Oklahoma hand no answer for dual-threat quarterback Jerrod Heard. He ran for 115 yards on 21 carries by himself and threw for 53 more with a touchdown.
Watson must put on a similar performance. One look at this tweet from ESPN College Football proves he's more than capable:
Clemson's ground threats go beyond Watson. Sophomore running back Wayne Gallman has been on a tear of late, and he needs to stay hot against the Sooners. In his last two games, Gallman has averaged 144.5 rushing yards per contest. If Clemson can get both Watson and Gallman going in the run game, the foundation will be laid for the upset.
Force Turnovers
The path to an Oklahoma win lies in the turnover margin category. On the season, the Sooners have forced 26 turnovers and enjoyed a plus-10 turnover edge. In contrast, Clemson has somehow remained undefeated with a minus-two turnover margin.
The Tigers' issues with ball security come almost equally from interceptions (13) and fumbles (12). Their inability to take care of the ball will cost them if the trend continues in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners are too good of a team for Clemson to beat if it loses the turnover battle.
QB Play
Sooners junior QB Baker Mayfield may come into the game with a chip on his shoulder. Despite a stellar 2015 season that saw him throw for 3,389 yards, 33 touchdowns and just five interceptions, Mayfield didn't get an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Watson didn't win, but finishing third and being invited to the ceremony is an honor for anyone—let alone a sophomore.
When he and Mayfield go head-to-head, we won't just be watching two leaders attempting to make plays to put their teams in position to play for a national championship. We might be watching the precursor to an intense battle for the 2016 Heisman Trophy.
The QB who performs best will lead his team to the title game.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
