Meyer not surprised by Clemson’s success
By: will-vandervort December 11, 2016

Since the last time Clemson played Ohio State, a 40-35 victory in the 2014 Orange Bowl, only two teams have won more games than the Tigers.

Since the start of the 2014 season, only Alabama (39-3) and the Buckeyes (37-3) have more victories than Clemson (36-5).  And though that may surprise some people, it doesn’t surprise Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.

“No, not surprised at all, plus I think Dabo (Swinney) … he’s a great friend, but he’s also an excellent coach, one of the top coaches in the profession,” Meyer said.

Since 2011, only Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have won more games than Clemson. The Tigers (68-13) have a game lead over Florida State (67-13) and Ohio State (67-12) in that same span. All four teams have either played for or won a national championship during that span, and all four have made the College Football Playoffs at least once.

Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama have played in the CFP at least two times, with the Crimson Tide making their third straight appearance this year.

The Buckeyes will play Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Meyer isn’t at all surprised to see Alabama and Clemson No. 1 and No. 2 on the list because he sees them all the time on the road recruiting.

“We know their players because we recruit against each other constantly. I know Clemson very well,” he said.

Ohio State’s head coach definitely remembers what happened the last time they played the Tigers. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for 378 yards and ran for 127 more, while accounting for six touchdowns.

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who caught two of Boyd’s five touchdown passes, hauled in an Orange Bowl record 16 receptions for a record 227 yards. The Tigers totaled 576 yards that evening in Miami, Florida.

“We had a hard time stopping them. They had Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd and very good players on defense, too,” Meyer said.

Clemson’s defense was all over quarterback Braxton Miller, limiting him to 234 passing yards, while sacking him several times and pressuring him even more. Defensive end Vic Beasley had three sacks. The defense also intercepted Miller two times and caused him to fumble one other time.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ scheme limited the Buckeyes’ rushing attack to 193 yards after they entered the game averaging more than 300 yards per game on the ground.