Jack Sawyer, Caleb Downs and Jim Knowles stepped up when it mattered most, and now Ohio State has one game left.
For the ninth time in school history, Ohio State will face off against Notre Dame. This time, there is a national championship on the line — the first one of the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14, and Notre Dame defeated Penn State 27-24 to set up the matchup. Ohio State is 6-2 all-time against Notre Dame, and has won the last six matchups.
Here is who and what we are high and low on heading into the national championship.
Blue Chip
Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Jack Sawyer
I really don’t think I have to explain this one. He was one of the leaders who convinced the senior class to run it back for one more year, and now he will forever live in the history of Ohio State Football. He should have had his moment against Michigan, but instead it comes in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas.
Thank you, 33.
Solid Investments
Timely turnovers
Early in this game, it felt like all of the 50/50 balls went to Texas. The fumble by Arch Manning wasn’t one of the two actual fumbles that Texas recovered, the first down by Quinn Ewers where his knee was a millimeter from the ground, etc.
But when it mattered, the ball fell right into Jack Sawyer’s hands on the strip sack, and Caleb Downs (more on him below) recorded the game-sealing interception. All you need is one or two, and the Buckeyes got them when it mattered most.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Caleb Downs
It is becoming impossible to describe Caleb Downs’ impact on games. He saved a touchdown early in the game with a tackle on Ryan Wingo, blew up the pitch play that caused Texas to throw the ball on fourth and goal, and then recorded the game-sealing interception.
He processes the game like a computer, and his instincts are unlike any other.
Junk Bond
Penalties
The Buckeyes had nine penalties and 75 yards. In the Tennessee and Oregon games combined, they had five penalties for 39 yards — two for 14 yards against Oregon, and three for 25 yards against Tennessee.
At least four of these penalties stalled drives, and the unsportsmanlike conduct against TreVeyon Henderson probably took points off the board. It was one game, and for the most part this has been a disciplined team, but they have to win the penalty game against Notre Dame.
Buy/Sell
Buy: Bend don’t break
The Ohio State defense has been bend-but-don’t-break all season. They may allow some yards and some chunk plays, but they have been incredible in the red zone all season. As defensive coordinator Jim Knowles says, “You give us an inch, and we will defend it.”
This is how they won the game against Penn State and against Texas. It will be key against Notre Dame with the dynamic run game they implement.
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Buy: Carnell Tate
On 90 percent of college football teams, Carnell Tate is WR1. However, on the Buckeyes, he is WR3 (more like WR1C, maybe), and he has been content with playing his role all season, being a great blocker and taking his production when it comes.
This was a game they needed Tate with the way Texas covered Jeremiah Smith, and Tate delivered with seven catches for 87 yards. He also dropped a touchdown pass that would have made that stat line look even better. He caught multiple huge first downs that kept drives alive.
Sell: Absolutely nothing
Was it a perfect game by the Buckeyes? Of course not. But the College Football Playoff is do or die, win or go home, and the Buckeyes found a way to win and punch their ticket to Atlanta.
That’s all that matters. Beat Notre Dame, and that is all that matters.