Ohio State will be close to 100 percent against Clemson in Fiesta Bowl

As the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes enter their final preperations for Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl against the No. 3 Clemson Tigers, the team released the availability report and depth chart for their College Football Playoff semifinal match-up.

Thanks in no small part to the three-week layoff following the Big Ten Championship Game, there are no unexpected additions to those being held out of the game, and there will be no game-time decisions.

As many of them have been for the entire season, sitting out the Fiesta Bowl will be wide receiver Kamryn Babb, running back Marcus Crowley, offensive guard Gavin Cupp, defensive tackle Noah Donald, wide receiver Elijah Gardiner, safety Ronnie Hickman, H-back C.J. Saunders, and defensive tackle Taron Vincent.

Throughout the week, Justin Fields has discussed the progress of sprained MCL, and is most recent comments were that he was 80-85 percent healthy, but hoping to be close to full-go by Saturday. He indicated that he would be wearing the smaller of the two braces that he has sported throughout the season, but during practices, he has been seen getting reps in the larger brace.

In the depth chart, Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison are listed as the co-starters at defensive end opposite Chase Young, as Jonathon Cooper will be sitting out the remainder of the season in order to maintain his red-shirt and to return next year. Tuf Borland and Baron Browning are listed as co-starters at middle linebacker as well. Many observers (cough, me, cough) believe that with the step up in athleticism that Clemson will provide, Browning would be the better fit in the middle of the field for the Buckeyes.

Check out the full depth chart below: