Ohio State enters its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Clemson as a 7½-point underdog. Being a distinct underdog is a new role for Ohio State, which entered its matchup with Clemson last season as a two-point underdog.
Ohio State controlled much of that game last season, scoring on four of its first five drives. Ultimately, red-zone failures, Trevor Lawrence’s legs and the dynamism of Travis Etienne catching the ball out of the backfield ended up undoing Ohio State. (Buckeye fans will be quick to remind you that the officials didn’t help.