Joel Klatt discussing Ohio State and the CFP on the Ryen Rusillo Podcast.

Starts at around the 35 minute mark.

Apologies for the rough transcription. Thought it would be easier to read!

What actually went wrong versus Michigan

Klatt: I fell into this trap. When you looked at the numbers and saw the game play out, it's easy to say that it happened again. Michigan beat up Ohio State again.

And then I watched the film back, and went nope, this is totally different than a year ago.

Rusillo: Joel, at the HALF, Michigan averaged 0.9 yards per carry.

Klatt: Michigan did not bully Ohio State. So what happened?

I believe last year's game left such a scar on the psyche of the OSU program, that their main goal of stopping the run ended up hindering their ultimate goal of winning the game.

They committed SO many resources to stopping the run, and to proving that they wouldn't be pushed around like last year. I watched EVERY Ohio State defensive snap this season, and they hadn't run a defense like this all year long. It was insane. There were between six and eight snaps where all eleven guys were within two yards of the line of scrimmage. And the thing is, it was working. They were stopping the run.

But because of that, it left guys in one on one coverage who hadn't been in one on one coverage all year long. And they got beat.

Then you get to the 7:20 mark in the 4th Quarter. Everyone was up at the line of scrimmage again. When that happens, all you need is one crease and you're gone.

Previewing the Playoff

Klatt: If I'm Georgia, of all the possible outcomes with semifinal matchups, this was the worst one by far for them.

Rusillo: Totally. From an offensive skill perspective and how much healthier Ohio State will be after this break, this is THE worst draw for Georgia. Bama is a much easier draw than Ohio State.

Klatt: I agree. What does Bama NOT have this year? Wide receivers.

In the last 27 games, the only team to beat Georgia was Alabama. How did they do that? Great wide receiver play. Bama was getting after them again in the National Championship game until Jameson Williams went down.

Tennessee fans are going to get after me for this, but Tennessee's passing game is not intricate enough - they rely too much on that second level option route and because of that, it's a half field read. And Kirby Smart can do things that take that away.

The ONLY passing game in the country, that is intricate enough schematically and good enough from a personnel standpoint to threaten Georgia, is Ohio State.

It's easily the worst matchup Georgia could hope for in the semifinal.

Rusillo: I'm with you. If I'm an Ohio State fan, and I know the second half sucked, I have to love my chances. You have to believe Knowles is hammering that second half film and won't let it happen again.

Very interesting perspective and breakdown. Klatt is a total film junkie so I trust and value his opinion.