2014 Orange Bowl Picks: Clemson vs Ohio State Odds and Predictions – Discover Orange Bowl BCS Picks 1/3/2014

2014 Orange Bowl Picks: Clemson vs Ohio State Odds and Predictions – Discover Orange Bowl BCS Picks 1/3/2014: While it isn’t quite the bowl game either team was hoping for, the 12th-ranked Clemson Tigers (10-2, 7-1 ACC) will meet the seventh-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1, 8-0 Big Ten) in the Discover Orange Bowl. Clemson climbed as high as No. 3 in the country during the year before a thrashing at the hands of Florida State ended their title hopes. Ohio State was one win away from meeting those same Seminoles in the BCS title game, but a stunning loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game dashed their title dreams, as well. The last time the two programs met was in the 1978 Gator Bowl when Ohio State coach Woody Hayes punched a Clemson player. This time around, the Buckeyes are 3-point favorites.

For Clemson, quarterback Tajh Boyd has led one of the more explosive passing attacks in the country. The senior has thrown for almost 3,500 yards and 29 scores for the 11th-best passing offense in the country. His main target is receiver Sammy Watkins, who enters the bowl game with more than 1,200 yards and 10 scores. Overall, the Tigers rank ninth in the country in scoring, averaging 40.2 points per game. Defensively, star pass-rusher Vic Beasley leads a unit that ranked in the top 20 nationally in points allowed during the regular season.

An explosive running game has powered the Ohio State offense all year. Dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller has thrown and run for more than 1,000 yards and scored 32 total touchdowns for an offense that ranks third in both rushing and points per game. While Miller has provided the speed, workhorse back Carlos Hyde has provided the power. He has run for 1,408 yards on 7.7 yards per carry and has 14 scores despite missing three games. Defensively, the Buckeyes actually rank in the top 25 nationally in points allowed, but the unit has been exposed at times, especially in the secondary.

The Tigers Win If:

For the Tigers to win the game, their offensive line will have to hold its own against the Buckeyes excellent pass rush in order to allow Boyd time to take advantage of the porous Ohio State secondary. A fast start on offense would be particularly useful for Clemson because building a lead will eventually force the Buckeyes to abandon their high-powered ground attack. Defensively, the Tigers need to be able to stop Hyde from gaining consistent chunks of yardage on early downs in order to make Miller a pocket passer on later downs. If Clemson can make sure this game is decided by which QB can throw the ball better, Boyd and company will be in great shape.

The Buckeyes Win If:

If the Buckeyes are going to win the game, they can’t afford to come out flat as they try to shake off the disappointment of missing out on a shot at a national title. A slow start against Clemson’s explosive offense could put Ohio State in a hole that it can’t dig out of. Aside from the mental side of things, the Buckeyes need establish their running game early in the contest to control the pace and wear down the Clemson defense. If Miller and Hyde can run the Tigers’ defense into submission, the OSU offense can mask the team’s suspect defense. For its part, the Buckeyes defense needs to dial up its pass rush and get as much pressure on Boyd as possible in order to protect their secondary from big plays.

Bottom Line:

At the end of the day, neither team has been able to get the job done against top competition this year. Clemson struggled to score in losses to Florida State and South Carolina, and Ohio State struggled to slow down the offenses of Michigan and Michigan State at the end of the year. With that in mind, it is the Buckeyes that need to be on high alert in this matchup. After all, the Ohio State secondary made the mediocre passing attacks of Michigan and Michigan State look great, and now, the same unit has to try to contain one of the best QBs in the country in Boyd. Sure, the Buckeyes offense will be able to put some points on the board in what figures to be a high-scoring shootout, but for the second game in a row, the Buckeyes’ shaky pass defense will come back to haunt them.

Prediction: Clemson Tigers (+3) Cover the Spread

NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Expert Picks and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.