Clemson's Deshaun Watson has the gaudier numbers and the CFP experience. Ohio State's J.T. Barrett has a past to live up to.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Ohio State's J.T. Barrett is barely a blip on the radar of Clemson's Jadar Johnson. But what's a College Football Playoff involving the Buckeyes without a perceived deficit at the most important position on the field?

"We've definitely faced better quarterbacks than him," said Johnson of Barrett. "I feel like if we can limit him on the ground, with his running, we'll be pretty good. His strong point is just his legs."

Clemson clearly wants to limit Barrett's runs and make him a passer.

Before the College Football Playoff semifinal kicks off on New Year's Eve Night, Clemson's Deshaun Watson, whose team was national runner-up last season,  deserves the praise he has gotten. My Heisman Trophy ballot had him first. He finished second to Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson.

For Barrett, who shared the Big Ten Most Valuable Player award this season, it comes down to revivifying an idealized past.

It's not 2014 anymore

Fans approach Barrett the way jilted lovers approach an ex. They wonder why Barrett has changed, why Barrett did not play in 2015 the way he played before breaking his ankle against Michigan in 2014.

Because he had to rehab it extensively and was not up to game speed for much of the season.

Then why did he not return to those thrilling days this year as the unchallenged starter at quarterback?

Because the offensive line isn't as good. The only game-breaking receiver is H-back Curtis Samuel. And Zeke Elliott is playing with the Dallas Cowboys.

An unknown knocked off the best

In 2014, Glenville's Cardale Jones -- almost a complete unknown as a former third-stringer, promoted to back-up by Braxton Miller's injury and to starter by Barrett's -- strong-armed Ohio State past Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon to the national championship.

Said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, "In any run, there are players who aren't well known who become well known."

Or, in the case of Jones, who become a cult figure.

The phenom is the stock in trade of the 24/7 cable television news cycle. If it's new, it'll do.

Barrett was outshone by the blinding light of Jones' playoff success, which was never quite as dependent on his arm as it was on his receivers' acrobatics.

Two elite lists

The leaders of the 2014 postseason opponents were, respectively, the Heisman runner-up, Melvin Gordon; third-place Heisman finisher, Amari Cooper; and Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota.

Michigan's Jabrill Peppers finished fifth in the Heisman voting this season after the Wolverines were eliminated from the College Football Playoff by Ohio State's comeback double-overtime victory.

Watson finished behind Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson for the Heisman

Ever-present CFP entrant Alabama doesn't have anyone of Cooper's 2014 star power, but prevailing opinion is that the Crimson Tide could handle an All-Star team made up of the best from Ohio State, Clemson and CFP newcomer Washington.

But in no rational universe is the disparity in quarterback play as great now as it was in 2014.

Praise for Watson

Still, OSU defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said:

"Watson's as talented a guy as we've faced. He's got incredible arm strength; he's a very mobile athlete; he doesn't choose to (run) a ton, but when he does, he's as good as there is. Flick of the wrist -- it's 40 yards and pretty darn accurate. He's thrown 65 yards in the air on tape, so I'm sure he can throw it 80 yards. He's a freakish-type football player. You watch the video, you sit there and go 'Whoa! That's a rare cat.'"

Not a jet, unless New York drafts him

Barrett is a physical runner, not a jet. He would be a lumbering ground transport, capable of getting his team where it needs to go, but without the "whoa's" and the snooty feline pedigree.

Swing hard

Barrett's conservatism, which can harden into indecisiveness, has resulted in 24 touchdown passes to five interceptions, compared to Watson's 37 to 15 ratio.

"Now, maybe you don't want 15 interceptions - but if you're not throwing interceptions, you're not trying hard enough," said Schiano. "If everything's got to be wide open, we're not going to be explosive enough on offense."

"We want a team that's not afraid to make mistakes," Meyer said.

It's a fine line between boldness (good) and brazenness (bad). Meyer, an old minor league infielder, constantly tells his team, in a baseball/boxing allusion, "Swing hard!"

Barrett will take his swings.

That's Jadar Johnson, shaking his head and saying it didn't hurt a bit.

LeBron James turns 32 today, Dec. 30, 2016. Let's celebrate with 32 photos of the Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA star from Akron.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James turns 32 today, a time to reflect on what he has accomplished, how far he has come from his modest Akron roots, and what is yet to come.

We are celebrating with 32 photos, from his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary to his 2016 NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Here's wishing him, and Cavs fans, many more.

Doug, Ari and Bill give their game picks for Ohio State vs. Clemson and wrap up Day 5 at the Fiesta Bowl.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- We've spent 20-something days, including the last five here in Arizona, trying to get a feel for Ohio State vs. Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Now we're ready to give our picks.

This will be our final podcast from the desert before the Buckeyes and Tigers play in a College Football Playoff semifinal on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Glendale, Ariz. We give a quick recap of Urban Meyer and Dabo Swinney's joint press conference from Friday morning, then get into the picks.

You can listen to the podcast below:

If you missed our full Fiesta Bowl preview podcast last week, you can find it on our iTunes page along with all of our other Buckeye Talk podcasts.

Our Buckeye Talk Podcast is available for you to listen on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In 20 years people are going to look back at these past few seasons of Ohio State football and they're going to remember the remarkably-talented quarterback room.  It's not because of Stephen Collier.  Collier has been the face behind the scenes, the guy who sat behind Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett. He never was...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In 20 years people are going to look back at these past few seasons of Ohio State football and they're going to remember the remarkably-talented quarterback room. 

It's not because of Stephen Collier. 

Collier has been the face behind the scenes, the guy who sat behind Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett. He never was really in the mix to play because all three of the names in front of him on the depth chart are Ohio State greats. 

That may make some feel like Collier's career was a failure. If you think that, you're wrong. 

"Having a successful career is about more than how much you played," Collier told cleveland.com. "Life is so much bigger than football and I think you have to understand that. It ends for everybody. 

"It's going to end for Ezekiel Elliott and it's going to end for Joe Schmo, the third-string walk-on. What makes your career successful is what you take out of the program, what you get from being around these guys, being around these amazing coaches." 

A former three-star prospect from Georgia, Collier's Ohio State recruitment was weird and his time with the Buckeyes has been even weirder. The Buckeyes went all-in on another Georgia quarterback in the 2014 recruiting class in Deshaun Watson, and now Ohio State is facing Watson and Clemson in the College Football Playoff in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday. 

Stephen Collier didn't play during his Ohio State career. That doesn't mean it was a failure. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer 

Watson has been a Heisman Trophy finalist twice and could be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. This is his second-consecutive season leading Clemson to the playoff. 

Collier is also making his second trip in the playoff, but he has been a career backup at Ohio State who found himself in the middle of constant transfer rumors. He's been attacked for never pushing to play, for eating up a scholarship on an Ohio State roster that puts a premium on them. 

If Watson would have come to Ohio State, Collier wouldn't be a Buckeye. 

"I don't look at it that way," Watson said. "He had plenty of opportunities. I never really said that my decision helped anyone else or didn't help anyone else. God works in great ways and God put him in that position for a reason. His time is going to come for that university to be the guy." 

That was a nice thing for Watson to say, but it isn't true. 

Collier's time isn't going to come at Ohio State. 

Though Collier, who is recovering from a torn ACL, technically has the option to come back next season, he hasn't made up his mind. But even if he does, it will be to continue in his current role, not to compete for a starting job. 

Everybody comes to Ohio State to play. When I posted on Twitter at the beginning of his career that it would take a few years for Collier to see the field, he responded, "I didn't come to sit." 

But years have passed and maturity has set in. Collier loves what he's done at Ohio State, and even though he didn't play, he has been an instrumental part of a Buckeyes team that needed a guy like him on the roster. Oh, and he has a national championship and graduated in three years. 

That's a success story. 

J.T. Barrett, left, and Stephen Collier graduating from Ohio State. Ohio State Twitter 

"It's gone as good as you can imagine," Collier said. "A degree and a national championship? Can't complain about that, for sure." 

Collier said it's his dream to be an athletic director at a major college program like Ohio State and he's grown close with Ohio State's Gene Smith. He has been accepted to graduate school and has relationships with some of the most powerful people in college sports. He's a bright and charismatic man and probably will be an athletic director. 

Collier has stories, too. He was in the Ohio State quarterback room during perhaps the most controversial quarterback situation in the history of college football. 

"A lot has happened," Collier said, smiling. "And it was a blessing to be a part of." 

Maybe Collier won't be remembered for what he did on the field. 

But he got a lot out of the program. And while on the team, he gave everything he had to the program. He pushed his teammates. He never thought about leaving. He never gave into the negative things said about him. 

He was a Buckeye. 

And that's a success story. 

Bill Landis of cleveland.com gives his game pick for Ohio State vs. Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett gave us a window into his view on windows around the middle of the season. He likes them big and wide open, otherwise he's not throwing the ball.

"I think there are times for that, different situations: Two-minute, fourth down type of things," Barrett said after Ohio State lost at Penn State.

"I feel we operate best when I get the ball out of my hands quickly. ... There are times when I could put some touch on the ball, put it over defenders. We try to throw through windows and not over people."

That's a good way to have a successful season: Minimize risk and harp on efficiency. Ohio State's passing game wasn't explosive this year, but it was good enough combined with the rest of the the things the Buckeyes do well to get them to the College Football Playoff. 

They'll play Clemson on Saturday night here in Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl with a shot at the National Championship on the line.

The Buckeyes can win because while Barrett has been largely inconsistent, we've seen glimpses of the quarterback Ohio State needs to get back to the national title game.

I think back to Wisconsin, when Barrett -- in desperation -- starting slinging the ball around a little bit because Ohio State couldn't lose. Or a touchdown throw against Penn State when he floated a ball between a linebacker and safety to Marcus Baugh.

I think back to a game at Oklahoma when Barrett seemed so prepared and decisive, and Ohio State's offense looked excellent in a huge win that got the Buckeyes here.

Podcast: Breaking down our OSU vs. Clemson game picks

A month of preparation, an understanding that playoff time is time to be aggressive and the knowledge that he has a chance to cement his Ohio State legacy could create a different Barrett. He can turn those glimpses into a full playoff-caliber picture.

Ohio State should be able to run the ball. The Buckeyes defense will be the best Clemson has seen this year, and should make a few a plays to keep Clemson's powerful offense from really breaking out. Ohio State's secondary is as aggressive as Clemson's passing attack. It will be fun to watch, and a challenge for both sides.

But it all comes down to Barrett. If he's different, Ohio State can win.

I think he'll be different.

Bill's pick: Ohio State 28, Clemson 21

Jamie Collins says he'd like to be back here if the money is right. He already likes his teammates and the direction of the program.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns linebacker Jamie Collins doesn't like losing, but $10 million a year would make it a lot easier to take.

That would be the going the rate for Collins if he hits the market March 9, according to spotrac.com.

"(Losing is a deterrent) but at the same time, money comes into play around that time,'' said Collins. "If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I'm not going to turn it down.''

Asked if money is his top priority, he said, "No, it's the not the top priority.''

What is?

"I mean, everybody, the people that have been here, my family, me, I could go on and on about this,'' he said.

Collins, a 2015 Pro Bowler, also likes a lot of his teammates, including up-and-coming players such as linebacker Chris Kirksey and running back Duke Johnson, who playfully ducked in on Collins' interview. during his media ajazzed him during  

"We're real close, man,'' he said of his teammates in general. "That's the thing with me. I get real tight with people. If I like you, then I like you, and we'll go a long way. If not, then it's dead. I like a lot of guys in here.''

Despite coming from the Super Bowl-contending Patriots, who traded him for a 2017 compensatory pick at the end of the third round, Collins would have no qualms about remaining with a rebuilding team.

"It's been pretty good,'' he said. "I have zero complaints. Obviously the win-loss column, but you can't control everything. You've just got to use it and take advantage of the downfalls you get (and use them) as stepping-stones. I have no doubt about me staying here if that was the case. I would like to be here. But it's not just me wanting to be here."

What has he liked so far about the Browns?

"Everything,'' he said. "Like I said, I have zero complaints. This is my job, just come in and do what I have to do."

Besides, he sees good things ahead for a defense that has some good young players in Danny Shelton and Emmanuel Ogbah.

"We've got all the talent in the world,'' he said. "Things just didn't go as planned. Like I said, I can't complain. You've just got to use it as a stepping stone. You just grow.''

A man of few words in his infrequent interviews, he said he's not worried about being franchised, which would net him about $16 million next season.

"It depends on what happens,'' he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. It is what it is.''

As for wanting to test the market, he said, "I don't know. I might say one thing today and do something totally different tomorrow. So you never know."

Spotrac.com estimates Collins' market value at about five-years, $51,380,813, or an average of about $10.2 million a year. It's worth it, if he can be the focal point that defensive coordinator Ray Horton envisions.

"Jamie's a former quarterback,'' Horton said. "He thinks like that. He sees the whole field. He understands what he's looking at. He understands splits. He understands plays, and he's a guy that loves football. I think he's  opening up (to his teammates), meaning, 'OK, I understand the guy's dynamic and who I am and what they are,' and he is very encouraging out on the field.

"As you guys watch practice, he's always going after the ball. He does this in the game. He gives us a chance to do a lot of different things. Obviously, the more pieces we get, the more things we will do with him and move him around and be the centerpiece of a defense that is going to be very dynamic because he allows you to do some things that are not traditional in defense. I'm really excited about what he can do."

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- An Ohio State defensive back was raving about freshman receiver Binjimen Victor, but he stopped himself from saying the money quote.  "That guy," he said, "should definitely be in the game plan."  That defensive back wasn't being critical of Ohio State's offensive game plan, he was just being extra careful what he said to a reporter. But...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- An Ohio State defensive back was raving about freshman receiver Binjimen Victor, but he stopped himself from saying the money quote. 

"That guy," he said, "should definitely be in the game plan." 

That defensive back wasn't being critical of Ohio State's offensive game plan, he was just being extra careful what he said to a reporter. But he was illustrating that the 6-foot-4 freshman is a game-changer. 

It's still unclear whether Victor is going to actually be targeted when Ohio State faces Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Saturday, but if nothing else, it seems as if his future is bright. 

A former four-star receiver from Florida, Victor is one of two youthful receivers that seem to have can't-miss futures. Combine that with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and the Buckeyes offense seems to be in good hands. 

"I do feel different because of my height and my size," Victor told cleveland.com. "But everyone has talent here. It's just not, 'I'm good.' Everybody is good here. You just have to keep getting better if you want to play. 

"Everyone plays a role on this team." 

When watching Ohio State practice from afar, Victor clearly stands out because he's so tall and lanky. He probably needs to add a few pounds of muscle before he's ready to be a No. 1 wideout at the college level, but he clearly has the natural tools. 

Dwayne Haskins thinks he's Ohio State's Deshaun Watson

But he's clearly making strides. 

"I have gotten a lot better," Victor said. "When I first came in, I was lost. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know anything about the offense to get into the game. It all comes with practice. Every practice you have to make a different statement, you have to contribute and have a great practice every week to show up in the game." 

Urban Meyer spoke earlier this year about how they needed to get Victor on the field. Then a few weeks later, he was targeted in some games. 

Ohio State has spent the last week trying to improve its passing attack for Clemson, so there's a chance Victor could be used limitedly as a deep threat. We've seen it before earlier this season. 

Will he be in the game plan? 

"Most likely," he smiled. 

Whether it was J.T. Barrett's inaccuracy, protection issues or receivers struggling to get open, is it really possible to fix all of those problems in three weeks? Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It's possible to think and analyze and discuss yourself into a cloud of information so convoluted you don't even know what planet you're on by the time it's appropriate to pick a game. 

That's kind of what happened this week as we covered Ohio State's preparation for Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl in the College Football Playoff. It feels like a coin flip. 

But it's time to pick. 

And my gut says Clemson is going to win. 

Though there has been a good vibe around Ohio State all week and players have vowed the Buckeyes are a completely new offensive team, it's just too hard to ignore the passing struggles they had in the second half of the season. 

J.T. Barrett's inaccuracy, protection issues or receivers struggling to get open were all problems this year. Is it really possible to fix all of those problems in three weeks? Maybe Ohio State can, but Clemson is really, really good. That may not be enough. 

Between Deshaun Watson and Mike Williams on offense and those two stud defensive linemen on defense, this Clemson team is dramatically better than any team Ohio State has faced this year. Maybe even Michigan. 

Ohio State is going to have to score 31 points in this game and if I'm being honest, I just don't see that happening unless the Buckeyes get a defensive touchdown. 

Urban Meyer is involved in this game, so it's going to be close. And this game, at least in my mind, may be a 50-50 shot. But right now, Clemson just seems to have the edge. 

Ari Wasserman's pick: Clemson 31, Ohio State 27

Bill Landis' pick

Podcast: Breaking down OSU vs. Clemson game picks

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about their New Year's resolutions for the Browns.

BEREA, Ohio -- It's time for the Cleveland Browns to leave this miserable season behind and begin looking ahead. Well, OK, they have one game left, but Mary Kay Cabot and I are allowed to start looking ahead.

In our latest podcast, it's time to talk about New Year's resolutions. We lay out what the Browns need to do in 2017 including finding a quarterback, re-signing key free agents and more.

Check out the podcast in the SoundCloud player below. You can subscribe over there. Check out the Browns Podcast playlist here.

You can also subscribe to the Cleveland.com sports podcast channel on iTunes.

-----

Follow us on Twitter: Mary Kay | Dan

The Browns can lose the No. 1 pick with a victory over the Steelers on Sunday, but that thought hasn't crossed Hue Jackson's mind.

BEREA, Ohio -  Hue Jackson had the corner of one of his eyeballs on North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky in the Sun Bowl Friday and will catches glimpses of other bowl games, but he insisted the thought of losing the No. 1 pick on Sunday hasn't crossed his mind.

"It doesn't. It can't,'' said Jackson. "Our players work too hard in the locker room and they put it on the line. We have to put it on the line. That's what sports is all about. I said before, whether it's the first pick, second pick, or third pick, they're all going to be good players there.

"We'll get good players on this team. I assure everybody that as we move forward, but what I think is most important is finishing the season the right way for these guys."

The Browns have a bona fide chance to beat the AFC North Champion Steelers on Sunday, because Mike Tomlin is resting starters such as Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Robert Griffin III will make his fourth straight start, but has yet to throw his first TD pass. The Steelers, despite the Big Three sitting out, are 5 /12 point favorites, but anything can happen this game.

If the Browns win and the 49ers lose to the Seahawks, they'll both finish 2-14 and the Browns will lose the No. 1 pick on tiebreakers.

But none of the Browns players are thinking of sacrificing the top pick and the best player in the draft.

"I would hope that you don't sacrifice a win over a pick,'' said Pryor. "Geez, this thing's about winning. I would hope that isn't our thing, because I'm playing this game for the wrong reasons. Definitely. I don't care what the record is, I play this game to win. That'd be sickening and sad if we were playing for that, for me to put my body out there to lose. So I hope that's not the case and I don't think it's the case and I don't believe it to be so. That would be heart-hurting if that was the case.''

Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry watched Mitch Trubisky in person Friday in the Sun Bowl

Griffin, who has a chance to win his second straight game and make a case to stick around next season, has nothing on his mind except a victory.

"Right now, we're blessed with an opportunity to go out and play a game on Sunday,'' he said. "That's all we have. After that, no one knows what's going to happen. This team, these 53 guys and then the practice squad guys will never be together again.

"I look forward to finishing strong with these 53, going out and having some fun and prayerfully, God-willing come away with a win."

Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 32 against the Charlotte Hornets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday in Game 32 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 32: Cavs (24-7) vs. Hornets (19-14)

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Spectrum Center.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP).

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Liggins, Kyrie Irving.

Hornets probable starting lineup: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, Nicholas Batum, Kemba Walker.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here

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The man in charge of the Browns draft was in El Paso on Friday to watch the Mentor native who could be the first quarterback chosen in 2017. Watch video

EL PASO, Texas -- Sashi Brown, in a blue North Face jacket and jeans, stood with his hands in his pockets outside the back of the end zone in Sun Bowl Stadium on Friday afternoon.

His eyes glided over the rocky terrain just over the stadium walls on his first journey to this western corner of Tex ... no they didn't. He watched one thing. He watched Mitch Trubisky.

Brown, the executive vice president of football operations for the Browns, was joined by vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry on this scouting foray to take in what likely was the final college game of the North Carolina quarterback and Mentor native.

The goal was context, the ideas you can glean from every little interaction and observation beyond what film tells you. Brown spent a good deal of time in that end zone talking with North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham. 

What did Brown see?

Trubisky in comeback mode. 

He engineered a 97-yard drive that began with 1:34 to play and North Carolina trailing by eight, completing a pass to the 1-yard line after a scramble that saw him turn his back to the line of scrimmage. That sent up a touchdown. But pressure on the two-point conversion try was too much, and Stanford beat North Carolina 25-23 in the Sun Bowl, with Trubisky completing 23 of 39 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Before that, he saw Trubisky go through an extensive throwing routine during the pregame, hitting short ones over the middle and deep sideline throws and corner routes in the end zone. With a temperature of 48 degrees for the noon local time kick, Trubisky warmed up in shorts and blew into his hand before most throws.

In general, the pregame showed what he translates to the game. It's an easy bounce and awareness in the pocket that leads to natural arm strength. Trubisky works a run fake into many of his pregame throws, because a zone-read play-action fake is a UNC staple. Then he looks comfortable in the pocket, able to escape and roll out, or more often, step up or to the side within the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield.

Like Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, the player Ohio State will face in the Orange Bowl on Saturday, Trubisky is very capable of running but isn't a runner. Both Trubisky and Watson are part of the zone-read game and are comfortable with called runs, but that won't be a regular part of their NFL lives.

On one first-half scramble, Trubisky stayed in a collapsing pocket for several seconds, looking for a throw to the right. He then shook off the sack attempt of a Stanford player wrapped around his waist, and took off to his left for a 7-yard gain. 

His best throw of the game was also under pressure. He slid to the right, sidestepped a defender, then planted his feet and threw a ball 40 yards on a line to a receiver Ryan Switzer, who came back to the ball along the sideline.

Trubisky shows off the NFL arm strength. [?] https://t.co/ZxmNgyePVN

-- CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 30, 2016

Trubisky doesn't have Stafford/Carr arm strength, but enough velocity to make the necessary NFL throws with timing/placement.

-- Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 30, 2016

There were plenty of plays that didn't work as well.

Trubisky missed a couple open receivers, including a wide-open crossing route in the third quarter that would have gained at least 20 yards. After throwing just four interceptions in 12 games, he was also picked twice, both by Stanford safety Dallas Lloyd who cut in front of the ball twice.

The first was over the middle in the first half. The second turned into a pick-six along the sideline. Trubisky was trying to look off the defense as his back released out of the backfield along the right sideline. Trubisky then threw to the right as soon as he looked that way, but Lloyd was waiting and jumped in front for the interception and 19-year return.

Trubisky misread the safeties on both of his INTs today. Obviously poor decisions. We'll see how he responds this drive.

-- Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 30, 2016

On several plays, Trubisky seemed to be floating back and then quickly stepped into a throw, a one-step delivery coming primarily from his arm without lower body support. He still got the ball there on several 15-yard outs, but it wasn't ideal footwork. But I remember seeing from videos of questionable Carson Wentz footwork at North Dakota State last season, and the Eagles had him straightened out for the most part by the start of the regular season.

Oh, and Trubisky was inadvertently stripped of the ball by an officlal and lost a fumble.

Fumble forced by... THE UMPIRE???https://t.co/4XiwKEDEM6

-- CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 30, 2016

And then he brought the Tar Heels back. 

Down eight, North Carolina took over at its own 3-yard line with 1:34 to play. A 44-yard completion along the sideline (deft touch) gave the Tar Heels a chance at the Stanford 28 with 1:07 left.

These were Trubisky's next three throws:

* A shot down the seam to the goalline that hit Switzer, his best receiver, in the hands and fell incomplete.

* A beautiful ball in the corner of the end zone to wide open Bug Howard, who had just caught the 44-yarder. The ball went right through his hands. 

* Then on third down, Trubisky escaped pressure, spinning away from a sack, and found Switzer for a 27-yard completion to the 1-yard line.

That set up a touchdown, but the two-point try failed. 

For a quarterback who entered the game averaging 298 passing yards per game, with 28 touchdowns against just those four interceptions, this wasn't Trubisky's best overall work. But the last drive showed how good his best can be.

The Browns and the seven other NFL teams on hand (including the Chicago Bears, who may be looking for a quarterback in the top five) are looking for traits, not stats.

Brown and Berry also checked out Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett in the Texas Bowl in Houston on Wednesday. Garrett may be the kind of player whose play demands he goes No. 1, if the Browns do wind up with that pick. 

But in Trubisky and Watson, and bowl-less Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, the Browns will have quarterback options. From what I've seen and heard this week, Watson and Trubisky are both true potential answers for the Browns quarterback situation.

You wouldn't have come to El Paso on Friday if you didn't think that was possible.

Not that El Paso gave anyone an answer. But it sure is an interesting question.

(poll conducted before final drive)

If you're watching Mitch Trubisky in the Sun Bowl right now, what do you think?

-- Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) December 30, 2016

Clemson will be the best offensive team Ohio State has faced. Ohio State will be the best defensive team Clemson has faced. Something has to give. Watch video

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Ohio State has not faced the like of Clemson's many explosive, "twitched-up" players, to use Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano's term for fast-twitch muscles. Clemson twitches like a bad poker player with a good hand.

It's tempting to give the College Football Playoff semifinal to Clemson based solely on quarterback Deshaun Watson and his alleged superiority to Ohio State's inconsistent J.T. Barrett.

However, Clemson has also not faced a defense that plays at the rapacious level of Ohio State.

Turnovers often decide games between teams with close to equal talent, and Ohio State, led by safety Malik Hooker's six interceptions, was third in the nation in turnover margin, fleecing opponents 25 times and losing only nine. Seven times the defense scored touchdowns, three on pick-sixes by Hooker.

Clemson was only 68th in turnover margin, with as many committed as made. In the Tigers' only loss, to Pittsburgh at home, and in their most ballyhooed game, against Louisville and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, Watson threw three picks in each.

It's not as if Ohio State is more dangerous without the ball than with it, not with one of the game's premier breakaway threats, Curtis Samuel, on the roster. But it's a formula that has worked going back to the leather head days.

It worked against Michigan in the season's biggest game, when two touchdowns were either scored or set up by the defense and a fumble recovery killed a Michigan drive at the Buckeyes' 1.

It also certainly worked in 2002, when a much less imposing Ohio State team under Jim Tressel broke Miami's 34-game winning streak by holding a 5-2 edge in the turnover margin.

By contrast, the 2014 Buckeyes won it all despite a 4-2 turnover disadvantage in their rout of Oregon.

Ohio State to win, 28-27.

The Mentor native will head home and relax for a few days before thinking about staying at North Carolina or leaving for the NFL, which must be decided by Jan. 16. Watch video

EL PASO, Texas -- Mitch Trubisky will beat his parents home from El Paso.

The North Carolina Tar Heels flew back to North Carolina on Friday night after their 25-23 loss to Stanford in the Sun Bowl. Trubisky's plan is to get on a plane to Cleveland on Saturday morning and head back to his family's home in Mentor.

His parents, Jeanne and Dave, will fly back Saturday but because of some travel logistics don't plan an arrival in Mentor until Sunday.

That's fine. It sounds like their son has a date with a couch, some TV and anything that doesn't involve talking about the NFL.

"When we bring it up, he gets mad at us, too," Dave Trubisky said in the parking lot outside Sun Bowl Stadium on Friday evening, after Mitch hugged his parents goodbye one more time before heading for the team bus. "It's not just everybody else. It's even when we try and give our input."

Mitch Trubisky might be the first quarterback drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he does not want to talk about that right now. The stakes are obvious. The Browns, with top personnel execs Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry, were among eight NFL teams to send evaluators to the Sun Bowl. But to a first-year starter who just lost a bowl game, nothing seems obvious right now.

Sashi Brown watched Trubisky in El Paso

There's no decision yet, because there's no process yet. This is still the decompression zone. The end of North Carolina's 8-5 season means the end of this talk for at least a few days. The Trubisky living room will replace the football field as his safe haven.

"Honestly, I hate it," Trubisky said after the Sun Bowl of NFL talk. "I think it just became a distraction for me and this team, honestly, because sometimes people talk about that more than they do the game.

"I was so focused on that game and that's all people want to talk about. I'll get to that decision when the time is right. But I owe it to these guys to give 110 percent of my heart, my body, my soul, everything to this team. For people to ask about the future decision, that's just stuff I can't control. I'll get to it when I get to it."

He'll get to it soon, but not yet. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft in Jan. 16. Trubisky is close to graduating, and classes at North Carolina, as a point of information, resume on Jan. 11.

Standing with his family and friends after the game, Trubisky dealt out a lot of hugs. Head coach Larry Fedora talked the Trubiskys as he walked to the bus, hugging Jeanne Trubisky and momentarily putting his hands to Mitch's face as he addressed him. Fedora had said in the postgame news conference that he'd help the family with their decision in any way he could.

Could Trubisky be the Browns hometown answer?

These moments before the bus may have been goodbye for this season or may have been goodbye to North Carolina football. Often, any player with a first-round grade seems like an obvious candidate to leave school. And Trubisky remains projected as a top-five pick, an obvious candidate for the Browns with either of their first-round picks.

On the other hand, players upset when a season doesn't end how they want it to end can sound like they're ready to stay in school. Trubisky, in these hours after the loss, was in that camp.

"It's gonna be tough, it's gonna feel like unfinished business and that's not something I like to do," Trubisky said. "I'm going to figure it out and take a couple days to relax and pray about it and do what's best for me."

To do that, he'll go home, back with his parents and three younger siblings.

"Be a normal family," Dave Trubisky said.

"As normal as you can be at our house," Jeanne Trubisky said.

Then he'll make a decision that isn't anything close normal. 

Anton Forsberg recorded his first shutout of the season as the Cleveland Monsters defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-0, Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Monsters used a 10-minute scoring spree to defeat the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-0, in an American Hockey League game on Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.

With the win, the Monsters improved to 16-12-1-2 on the season, while first-place Grand Rapids fell to 19-8-1-2.

• Monsters-Griffins summary
• AHL standings

Anton Forsberg stopped all 28 shots he faced to improve to 11-6-1 with his first shutout of the season. Grand Rapids goalie Eddie Pasquale stopped 11 of 15.

The game was scoreless for the first 28 minutes before the Monsters exploded for four goals in less than 10 minutes of the second period.

Marc-Andre Bergeron scored the first goal at 8:23, then Markus Hannikainen scored his ninth goal of the season at 14:01.

Cleveland made it 3-0 when Sonny Milano scored on a power play at 17:23 and Justin Scott capped the outburst with his sixth goal just 19 seconds later with Grand Rapids back at full strength.

Grand Rapids out-shot the Monsters, 28-15, including a 13-1 advantage in the third period. The Monsters blanked the Griffins on five power plays. Cleveland had 12 penalty minutes, Grand Rapids had six.

Columbus update: The Blue Jackets announced Friday that they have signed forward Calvin Thurkauf, a seventh-round draft pick, to a three-year entry level contract. Thurkauf, 19, has 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points with 47 penalty minutes and a +14 plus/minus rating in 28 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League this season. ... The Blue Jackets, who have set a club record with 14 consecutive victories to improve to 25-5-4 on the season, visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

Up next: The Monsters are off until next Friday when they play the first of four straight road games at the Texas Stars. The Monsters and Stars will also play next Saturday. ... The Monsters will be at the Charlotte Checkers on Jan. 13 and 14. ... The next game at the Q is Jan. 18 against the Rockford IceHogs.

I expect Alabama to rout Washington in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 31.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2016-17 College Football Bowl season continues with four  games Dec. 31. They include the playoff semifinals: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

Some maintain that there are too many bowls (this season: 41). I do not. I cannot get enough of college football, in general, and even nondescript bowls can produce notable accomplishments by individual and team.

For the first time, I am picking bowl games against the spread -- entertainment purposes only, of course. It better be EPO because, for as much as I love college football, I do not pretend to be an "expert.'' Leave that to the likes of Phil Steele.

For me, college football is fun. Nothing but fun.

For 33 Bowls through Thursday, I have gone a problematic 13-20 ATS -- but at least I was 3-2 on Thursday. Overall, I am leaning on "favorites,'' and they are fizzling. As an addendum, what has happened to teams that I picked during their games borders on the absurd, requiring 5 hours of explanation. And don't get me started about the reports from the so-called "experts'' that I studied before making the selections.

All that said: This is a no-excuse exercise, and I am responsible for my drowning. Picking CFB Bowls ATS is every bit as difficult as Nick Camino told me it would be.

Even though this is for fun, I was so angry about the losing ways that I irrationally switched all of my picks for Dec. 28-29 one hour before post publication. All -- except one. I tried but could not get myself to come off Pitt beating Northwestern by more than 5 1/2. Of course Northwestern won outright.

Lines are from MGM Mirage via vegasinsider.com as of the afternoon before first game of group. All times Eastern:

DEC. 31

1. BUFFALO WILD WINGS CITRUS BOWL

Who: No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville

Where: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

When: 11 a.m.

TV: ABC

DMan's pick: Louisville +3 1/2

2. TAXSLAYER BOWL

Who: Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

When: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: Georgia Tech -3 1/2

3. CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL

Who: No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta.

When: 3 p.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: Alabama -14

Comment: The game will be competitive for about 10 minutes, maybe the entire first quarter, but it will be over by halftime. The Crimson Tide simply is too talented, too fast and too physical for the Huskies. If Alabama doesn't win by 25+ in what amounts to a home game, it's an upset. 

4. PLAYSTATION FIESTA BOWL

Who: No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Clemson

Where: U. of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

When: 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: Clemson +3

Comment: Ohio born and raised, I want the Buckeyes to win. I really do. It is a huge credit to coach Urban Meyer that his young Buckeyes made the playoffs. The problem with this matchup is, the Tigers are just as talented and more experienced. It is no shame to lose to them.

Ronda Rousey's lost her bid for a comeback Friday when the former champion lost in a first-round technical knockout to Amanda Nunes, who retained her 135-pound bantamweight title at UFC 207.

LAS VEGAS -- Ronda Rousey's UFC comeback didn't even last a minute.

Rousey was stopped 48 seconds into her first fight in 13 months Friday night, losing to bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.

Rousey (12-2) never managed to get her footing against Nunes (14-4), who rocked Rousey with her very first punches. Rousey showed little defensive acumen as she staggered and stumbled backward with Nunes relentlessly pursuing her and landing multiple shots.

Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout with Rousey still on her feet, and Rousey briefly protested the stoppage before leaving the cage in her mother's arms.

"Forget about Ronda Rousey!" a triumphant Nunes shouted to the sellout crowd. "She's going to go do movies. Forget about her. She has a lot of money already."

Less than a minute #ufc #nunesvsrousey pic.twitter.com/BNhppwg8r6

-- Panda (@Justme3lizabeth) December 31, 2016

But the sellout crowd was shocked when Rousey couldn't compete in her first fight since losing her belt to Holly Holm 13 months ago in her first career defeat.

Rousey became arguably the world's most famous female athlete and a combat sports trailblazer while she rocketed atop the UFC, but a year away from the sport apparently did little to heal the holes in her game. She made a guaranteed $3 million for her comeback bout, while Nunes' guaranteed payday was just $200,000.

"I knew I was going to beat (Rousey)," Nunes said. "I'm the best on the planet."

Rousey hadn't fought since November 2015, when Holm stopped her with a head kick in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Rousey had never lost or been in much trouble while the former Olympic judo medalist earned a series of one-sided victories, but Holm's veteran striking made Rousey look amateurish before the dramatic finish.

Rousey's return fight was similar, but even quicker -- and now Rousey's future in the sport is clearly in question. The biggest star in the women's game is likely considering retirement shortly before her 30th birthday.

Nunes claimed her belt with a violent stoppage of Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July, completing an unlikely ascent for a Brazilian veteran whose skills have improved in recent years. Nunes lost three fights earlier in her career to opponents beaten easily by Rousey, but Nunes' work ethic and toughness propelled her into the biggest fight in the women's game against Rousey.

Rousey nearly vanished from public view after her first loss, taking time away from the gym and attending to her acting career. After the bantamweight belt changed hands two more times in her absence, Rousey agreed to return for a shot at reclaiming her title. The UFC also was sold during her absence to WME-IMG, the entertainment conglomerate that also represents Rousey's career.

But Rousey refused to promote this pay-per-view show, leaving Cruz and Nunes to do most of the work. While Rousey's media blackout will hurt her cut of the pay-per-view revenue, it didn't affect her guaranteed payday, which matched Conor McGregor for the biggest disclosed check in UFC history.

Earlier, Garbrandt (11-0) remained unbeaten with a virtuoso performance to claim the belt held for the past 11 months by Cruz (22-2), who ended up with a gaping cut over his left eye. Garbrandt used precise striking, multiple takedowns and remarkable charisma to win over the judges, who all favored him by scores of 48-46, 48-46 and 48-47.

Cruz hadn't lost an MMA fight since March 24, 2007, winning 13 straight bouts in a career marked by multiple comebacks from major injuries.

The 25-year-old Garbrandt is a native of Uhrichsville, Ohio, who trains in the Sacramento-area gym of veteran fighter Urijah Faber.

Cruz and Garbrandt taunted each other repeatedly during the promotion of their bout, and their genuine dislike translated into a frenzied five-round fight. Garbrandt lived up to his boundless promise with a resourceful effort against Cruz, who was favored to defend his belt.

Instead, Garbrandt landed more shots and did more damage from the opening round. Both fighters landed significant strikes in the first two rounds, but Garbrandt turned the fight in his favor early in the third round during the exchange that opened the cut on Cruz's face.

Garbrandt put on a performance in the fourth round, repeatedly knocking down Cruz when he wasn't dancing away from the champion. The unfriendly rivals congratulated each other after the bout, but Cruz didn't appear surprised when Garbrandt's hand was raised.

After receiving his belt, Garbrandt wrapped it around the waist of Maddux Maple, a 10-year-old leukemia survivor from northern Ohio who has been his motivational talisman.

Garbrandt's first title defense could be against T.J. Dillashaw, who dominated John Lineker in a unanimous-decision victory moments earlier at UFC 207, winning 30-26 on all three cards. Dillashaw (15-3) showed off precise striking and a superior ground game to trounce the Brazilian brawler.

"Come try me!" Garbrandt shouted at Dillashaw afterward.

The Buckeyes and Tigers will meet on Saturday night in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. Watch video

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Ohio State Buckeyes and Clemson Tigers will meet on Saturday in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. Here's everything you need to know before kickoff:

GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 2 Clemson Tigers (12-1) vs. No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)

TV: ESPN, with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Sam Ponder and Tom Rinaldi on the call.

Twitter: Follow Ari Wasserman, Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises

Live chat: Join the cleveland.com conversation at 5 p.m.

Latest line: Ohio State -2.5

Series record: Ohio State is 0-2 all-time against Clemson, with the most recent loss coming in the 2014 Orange Bowl. The Buckeyes also lost to the Tigers in the 1978 Gator Bowl.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Must-read links before kickoff:

* Every week this season we've given you five reasons each team will win. They've never been more important than they are this week. Clemson will win because of its load of offensive talent highlighted by a monster receiver. Ohio State will win because of Urban Meyer's success in these kind of big games.

5 reasons Ohio State will beat Clemson

5 reasons Clemson will beat Ohio State

* Ohio State's main concern coming into this game is whether or not it can throw the ball against Clemson's defense. That's something the Buckeyes haven't done well in their biggest games. Maybe they can take solace in the fact that the most recent national champions haven't been great throwing teams. And also this:

J.T. Barrett is Tim Tebow

* There are key matchups all over the field in this game, and we've been highlighting some of the all week. The biggest might be the one between Ohio State right tackle Isaiah Prince and Clemson defensive end Christian Wilkins. See all the key matchups below:

Leggett vs. Hooker and the best OSU vs. Clemson matchups

* Clemson and Ohio State are equally talented, and this is probably the first time this season that either team has faced a team of equal talent. There's one edge Clemson has over Ohio State, though. It's recruiting massive defensive linemen.

Dexter Lawrence and the 5-star DTs Ohio State can't land

* And finally learn a little more about Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, who could be a Cleveland Brown in a few months:

Watson wants to be a franchise QB

BUCKEYE TALK PODCAST

We've been doing daily versions of our Buckeye Talk podcast all week from Arizona leading up to this game. If you missed any of them, you can find them on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher.

Here's the most recent, including our game picks for the Fiesta Bowl:

STAT LEADERS

Passing: Clemson; Deshaun Watson, 329-of-487 (67.6 percent), 3914 yards, 37 TDs, 15 INTs. Ohio State; J.T. Barrett, 214-of-346 (61.8 percent), 2428 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs.

Rushing: Clemson; Wayne Gallman, 196 carries, 1002 yards (5.1 avg.) 15 TDs. Ohio State; Mike Weber, 177 carries, 1093 yards (6.1 avg.), 9 TDs.

Receiving: Clemson; Mike Williams, 84 receptions, 1171 yards (13.9 avg.), 10 TDs. Ohio State; Curtis Samuel, 65 receptions, 822 yards (12.6 avg.), 7 TDs.

Tackles: Clemson; Ben Boulware, 114 tackles. Ohio State; Raekwon McMillan, 87 tackles.

Sacks: Clemson; Carlos Watkins, 8.5 sacks. Ohio State; Tyquan Lewis, 7.5 sacks.

Interceptions: Clemson; Jadar Johnson, 5 INTs. Ohio State; Malik Hooker, 6 INTs.

If you won't be near a TV on Sunday, you can follow the game on cleveland.com/browns

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns (1-14) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) meet Sunday at Heinz Field in Week 17 of the NFL season.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on CBS. The Browns Radio Network will broadcast the game on WKRK/92.3 FM, WKNR/850 AM and WNCX/98.5 FM.

The CBS game crew will be Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon. The Browns Radio Network crew will include Jim Donovan, Doug Dieken and Nathan Zegura.

If you won't be near a TV on Sunday, you can follow the game on cleveland.com/browns. Watch for our live updates post about an hour before kickoff to get updates and analysis from reporters Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Scott Patsko. 

NFL Game Pass allows users to stream live audio online. It also offers full video replays of games shortly after they end. There is a cost associated; however, the service offers a seven-day free trial. 

For complete coverage of the game, visit cleveland.com/browns.

Samuel has 65 receptions heading into Saturday's College Football Playoff semifinal vs. Clemson. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Curtis Samuel was off in the corner of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, standing a few feet away from a JUGS machine and catching footballs fired at him with one hand.

This was a few weeks ago, when the Buckeyes were about midway through their preparations for Clemson and a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl.

A lot of players do what Samuel was doing, and it's impressive to see these athletes catching footballs coming at that velocity with relative ease. It's not easy. Sometimes you wonder if they're just doing it for show because they know the media is there, and it makes for a cool video.

Samuel's time honing his pass-catching skills wasn't for show, it was a window into the work he's been putting in to transform himself from a running back to an all-around offensive weapon who's become the Buckeyes' leading receiver.

Those hands are as important to Ohio State's success as quarterback J.T. Barrett's legs.

"My freshman year I could catch a little, but it wasn't that great," Samuel said in Columbus. "I remember first coming in, going straight to receiver when I came in early in January, my hands were not where they're at now. I was dropping passes, just hand-eye coordination. Now putting in the time, the amount of reps, coming in on off days and catching passes ... I definitely feel like my hands are as good as anyone on the team."

You could make the argument that Samuel's hands are the most important asset in the Buckeyes' offense. Barrett's running is his best trait, but without Samuel's rise as a deadly H-back and devastating slot receiver, Ohio State doesn't have any passing game at all.

Samuel is Ohio State's leading receiver with 65 catches for 822 yards and seven touchdowns. That's not the extent of his game. He's the only player in America with more than 700 yards each rushing and receiving.

But those hands, his receiving ability, have been a godsend.

"I thought I was gonna be more in the backfield this year," Samuel said this week in Arizona. "I kind of didn't know what to expect as far as where my touches would be at, receiver or running the ball. But I thought I was gonna run the ball more this year and catch less passes."

Instead he's become one of the most prolific Ohio State receivers ever.

His 65 receptions are the most by a Buckeyes receiver since David Boston had 85 in 1998. Boston's 85-catch season is also the Ohio State single-season record. Samuel's season is already No. 4 all-time, one catch ahead of Terry Glenn's 64-catch season in 1995. With two more catches, Samuel will become just the 19th receiver in Ohio State history with 100 career grabs.

Samuel has made this jump into the pantheon of Ohio State receivers in a little over a year, really. Which makes you wonder where he'd be if he had not gotten lost in the offensive shuffle last year.

Ohio State's Curtis Samuel has become one of the Buckeyes' most prolific receivers ever in his first season as the starting H-back.Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer 

The Buckeyes' moved Samuel from running back to slot receiver last season. The early returns weren't great. Samuel had played some receiver in high school, but it was different in college, especially after a freshman season spent entirely in the backfield.

"I was kinda comfortable in high school, but I really didn't know what a receiver was," he said. "The plays we ran were sweeps and bubble screens. I didn't know nothing about running routes. ... Coming here, playing running back my freshman year I'm thinking I'm just gonna be a running back. Then moving to slot the next year, it was different. Running routes was hard for me."

Now Samuel appears to be the best on the team at finding openings against a defense and giving Barrett comfortable throwing lanes.

That's a long way to go from dropping passes in practice last year, and never really looking comfortable as a strictly slot receiver. Samuel was meant to be in this role he's in now. He has Clemson's attention.

"When you've got a guy like No. 4 (Samuel), somebody's gotta be focused on him," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "You can't have the whole defense focused on him, but you better be able to match up and defend the components that he's part of. ... He can get in at tailback and really be an explosive freak. He'll line up in that slot and does a heck of a job as a receiver. You don't see a lot of that in college football. We don't have that guy on offense."

When Ohio State played Michigan in the regular-season finale, there were times when the Wolverines had Jourdan Lewis, their All-American corner, come down into the slot to cover Samuel. That should be the ultimate sign of how far Samuel has come as a receiver.

Clemson has a top-rated corner in Cordrea Tankersley who hasn't played much in the slot this year, but expects to line up there against Ohio State because the Tigers will want their best cover guy on Ohio State's best receiver.

Samuel didn't expect to be that guy.

It just turned out that's what Ohio State needed him to be.

"I didn't think I was gonna be that dynamic in the pass game to where they have to do that, but I love matchups like that," Samuel said. "It brings the best out of me."