PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — It is not earth shattering news, but if second-ranked Clemson has any chance to beat No. 3 Ohio State in Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl, then the Tigers must win the battle between their defensive line and the Buckeyes’ offensive line.

Clemson (12-1) has one of the best defensive fronts in the nation, a big reason why the Tigers rank second in the country in sacks (46) and in tackles for loss (112).

“It has been a group for us that has kind of carried us throughout the year,” Venables said on Tuesday from the JW Marriott Camelback Inn and Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona. “We have some youth up there that has played well beyond their years. It is a very mature group of guys. It’s getting better and better as the year has worn on.”

That’s not good news for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have allowed 21 sacks in the last seven games, including eight against Michigan in the regular-season finale. Now they have to go up against the likes of Christian Wilkins (6-4, 310), Carlos Watkins (6-3, 305), Dexter Lawrence (6-5, 340) and Clelin Ferrell (6-5, 265).

“I don’t think we have seen that kind of size in a group that is that deep. I think that will be probably the first time,” Ohio State co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said.

Watkins leads Clemson with 8.5 sacks as part of his 10.5 tackles for loss, while Wilkins has 12.5 tackles for loss and Ferrell has 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Lawrence, a true freshman, might be the best of the bunch. The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year has 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

“That got some dudes,” Ohio State quarterback J. T. Barrett. “I think overall, they do a good job of mixing things up and changing things each week.”

The Tigers will need to mix things up against an Ohio State offense that is averaging 258.3 yards per game on the ground and has an All-American center in Pat Elflein and an All-American guard in Billy Price at right guard.

Barrett, Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel are averaging more than six yards per carry combined.

“That’s our challenge. That’s what we have been focusing on these last two weeks,” Watkins said. “I know Coach Venables is going to put us in great position to stop whatever they do. It’s our job up front. We feel like if we stop the run, it is going to slow down their offense.”

In other words, Clemson has to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, which is not real earth shattering news.

“We are going to have to have our best effort going into this game,” Venables said. “We know it is going to be a physical game. We played Ohio State in the Orange Bowl and it was arguably one of the most physical games we have played in my five short years here at Clemson. They are about something. They are about toughness. They are about establishing the line of scrimmage, and again our guys are going to have to match it.”