Double Oranges for OSU vs Clemson

It was fun and exciting and lots of offense,but it still wasn't enough as Ohio State fell to Clemson 40-35 on the Miami turf in the Orange Bowl.
Braxton Miller threw for over 200 yards and 2 scores,although he was intercepted twice in being pounded from pillar to post all night with a shoulder injury while Carlos Hyde rushed for over 100 yards and a score.
Ohio State ends the year at 12-2 and will take the next eight months plus off before returning against Navy in Baltimore.
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1) Braxton Miller had a chance to win the game after the Buckeye defense intercepted Taji Boyd to get the ball back with under two minutes to go,but was then intercepted himself.
Miller said he injured his shoulder early in the first quarter and it showed as Miller was clearly damaged throughout the game and lacked zip on the throws.

2) The question is should Miller have been replaced by Kenny Guiton?
I think so.
Miller gave it all that he had and considering that he was getting blasted by defenders every play,his game was good enough,but Guiton was fresh and most importantly-uninjured and might have given the Buckeyes a better chance of winning.

3)  Carlos Hyde continued his bulldozing style against the Tigers with 113 yards.
Hyde finished with over 1,500 yards,good for seventh in Buckeye history and missed three games to do it,although in a 14 game season,that offsets his competition in shorter seasons.
I think Hyde is going to be the perfect cold weather runner for some NFL team and I am pulling for the Browns.
Runner's like Hyde may rarely have longevity,but they are brutally effective and fun to watch.

4) Speaking of future Browns.I've been talking up Sammy Watkins all season as the perfect fit for the Browns and boy,did he make me look good in setting an Orange Bowl receiving record.
Some of that might have been the absence of Bradley Roby,but I am salivating at the idea of a Josh Gordon/Sammy Watkins pairing.
Which means there is no chance of that happening....

5) The losses of Bradley Roby and Noah Spence to various issues meant the defense was less than sturdy,but I am not sure that their addition would have made a difference.
Spence may have made a play or two and Roby might have helped with Sammy Watkins,but enough to win? I'm hesitant to go that far.

6) Bradley Roby is going to the NFL and he'll be a high pick,but for all the reputations and awards-I found Roby to be quite ordinary and I'll have him ranked lower than most in my corner rankings for the draft.

7) Yes,the defense struggled and all three of the starters forced into action had their issues,but considering everything,they were not the difference in the loss.
In fact,Vonn Bell was especially impressive in keeping Clemson out of the end zone with a leaping interception of Tajh Boyd.
Bell might be the next standout defender from I saw in this game....

8) Luke Fickell is a great recruiter and a loyal Buckeye,but it is time for him to go as defensive coordinator.
Fickell's defense often seems unorganized with a month to prepare for this game,the defense seemed less than prepared-that goes on the coaching staff...

9) Carlos Hyde slammed the ball as noted,but carried the ball once in the 4th quarter,which denies the best part of Hyde's physical game-wearing down the defense.
Two games in a row that Hyde was preparing to finish off the opponent and the play calling stopped him.
Not a coincidence-two losses...

10) The play of the game-the fumbled punt by Corey "Philly" Brown.The Buckeyes lead by nine and forced a punt.Brown muffed the kick,Clemson recovers and would score.
That swung the game back in the Tigers favor and cost the Buckeyes the chance to put the game away.
Sometimes the best play is not to make a play....

11) Ryan Shazier and Braxton Miller need to return to Columbus.
Selfish wishes? Sure,but Miller needs tons of passing work and Shazier looks to be an inside linebacker in the pros.
Shazier was given a second round grade by the committee that helps juniors determine their draft value.
Problem is inside backers often go later than projected.
Shazier didn't have a great Orange Bowl and might make more money eventually by waiting.

12) The season has to be considered disappointing,but I was more down about the loss to Michigan State.
That was also a game that got away,but it just seemed different.
This was a fun game to watch and really didn't matter in the big picture whether OSU earned a win or loss other than the trophy.
However,this game also showed that Ohio State still has a way to go on the defensive side of the ball and Urban Meyer is still upgrading the program through recruiting.
Next season may be a step back in record and the MSU loss might have saved fans from a far less fun game against Florida State,who would have taken glee in stomping Meyer,but I still see a glossy future for the Buckeyes and the program..

Photo Credit;Cleveland Plain Dealer