OHIO STATE’S performance against Clemson in the college football playoff semifinals was simply shocking.

Buckeyes’ boss Urban Meyer is usually the best in the business when given several weeks to prepare his team for a big game. It was obvious early on that Clemson was the better team as the Tigers totally dominated both lines of scrimmage.

It baffles me how far Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett’s stock has fallen. He was once a Heisman Trophy candidate. Now some Buckeye diehards hope he doesn’t return for his final year of eligibility.

Be it Barrett, the wide receivers or inept coaching, Ohio State has no vertical passing game. Against Clemson, the Buckeyes virtually had no offense.

Curtis Samuel is an All-American dual threat. He can’t do it alone.

Ohio State was noted as being the youngest team in the nation this season. But being young wasn’t a problem when the Buckeyes dismantled Oklahoma in Norman. Barrett and the offense were lights-out.

Except for beating up some cupcakes like Rutgers and Maryland, the Ohio State offense very rarely flashed the same potency it did in Oklahoma.

In addition to their loss at Penn State, the Buckeyes struggled past Wisconsin in overtime, held off Northwestern late (24-20), inched past Michigan State (17-16) and had to go two overtimes to beat Michigan.

The Big Ten has proven a soft touch in bowl games, winning just three of 10 games. The Big Ten East was an embarrassing 0-5. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Northwestern were the only victors, all coming out of the West.

What does that mean?

Probably not too much, save the Ohio State beat-down. Bowl games are different animals. Motivation — or the lack of it — is key.

The Buckeyes had all the motivation a team could want entering the Fiesta Bowl. Playing for a chance at the national title is the ultimate.

Ohio State brings back a boatload of talent, especially since Barrett will again be taking the snaps.

Meyer is being proactive with pumping life into his punchless offense. He made a great hire bringing in Kevin Wilson as offensive coordinator. Wilson made Indiana a viable Big Ten football program. He resigned in November after drawing some heat for being too tough on his players.

Prior to elevating the Hoosiers, Wilson was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma. He will be a huge upgrade for an Ohio State in definite need of one.

Sometimes there is addition by subtraction.

Such is the case with Tim Beck. He has opted to leave his co-offensive coordinator post with the Buckeyes to join Tom Herman at Texas. Beck replaced Herman at Ohio State after Herman became head coach at Houston. Herman was the offensive mastermind in the Buckeyes’ national title run, developing an explosive attack with a third-string quarterback.

The Buckeyes will be better Beckless.

Beck will be replaced by Ryan Day. He is a Chip Kelly protege and former GA for Meyer at Florida. That is quality grooming.

They also will be better with Barrett back in the fold. A change of coaches will do him good.

Until the Buckeyes return to their explosive high-scoring ways of two years ago, the question will remain: Is there offensive life at Ohio State without Herman?

BUBBA’S BITS

CLEMSON LOOKED like world-beaters in demolishing Ohio State while Alabama was a little lackluster offensively in ousting Washington. As a result Crimson Tide boss Nick Saban jettisoned offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Even with that said, I like Bama to tame the Tigers by a 27-20 count in repeating as national champions.

HEADING INTO yesterday’s home game against TCU, West Virginia was 12-2 on the season. Former Wheeling Central star Chase Harler has played in 10 games for the Mountaineers. Harler is averaging 8.1 minutes per game, tallying 31 points while grabbing 23 rebounds. Former Cameron standout Logan Routt, meanwhile, has played in nine contests, scoring 10 points and collaring 11 boards.

BO McCONNAUGHY is holding the Wheeling Central baseball School Jan. 16 & 17 at Mount deChantal gym. It is sponsored by The Beast of the East. The Jan. 15 session focuses on fielding, throwing and base running. The Jan. 16 session targets hitting, pitching and catching. Cost is $20 per day or $40 for both days and $25 at the door. Family rates are available. Pre-registration is recommended by Thursday. Checks should be made payable to CCHS Baseball and mailed to Bo McConnaughy at 33 Hurst Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003. Online registration is available at cchsknights.org. Then go to the athletic page and click on camp icon All participants should bring glove and bat. More information is available by calling Bo at 304-280-2981. Camp brochures are available at Shirts ‘N More, Generations and Play It Again Sports.

FORMER WHEELING Park hoop standout Phil Bledsoe has helped Marshall win nine of 15 starts this season. The 6-6 forward has played in 12 games, averaging nine minutes per contest. He has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL coaching is a tough business. Minnesota enjoyed a successful 9-4 season, including a bowl victory. That didn’t stop the Minnesota hierarchy from firing head coach Tracy Claeys. His termination comes on the heels of 10 Gophers being suspended in connection with sexual assault allegations. The team threatened to boycott the bowl game. Claeys came out in support of the 10 suspended gridders. Barnesville native Jay Sawvell would be an ideal replacement for Claeys. He is the current Gophers’ defensive coordinator. However, Western Michigan’s P.J. Fleck will be the new head man in Gopherland.

BISHOP DONAHUE may be a small school in enrollment but it comes up big when it comes to athletic talent. The Bishop Nation added Tim Popicg, Gary Fonner, Steve Mele, Shawn Straughn and Tony Reilly to its Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday. All five were phenomenal multi-sport athletes for the Bishops and very deserving of their enshrinement.

KUDOS TO Dr. Gregory Merrick for staging another stellar Cancer Research Classic at Wheeling Jesuit University. The prep hoop talent Dr. Merrick is able to attract is amazing. The CRC is second to none when it comes to national high school hoop events.

I WILL be shocked if the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have an easy time with the Miami Dolphins today.