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Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields said Tuesday that his injured left knee is at “80 to 85 percent” as the second-ranked Buckeyes prepare for No. 3 Clemson on Saturday.

The teams will meet in a College Football Playoff semifinal in Glendale, Ariz.

“My knee is not where I want it to be right now, but I think with treatment every day and just resting it every day, hopefully it will be better by the game,” he told reporters. “I definitely thought I would be closer to 100 percent. … I’m just going to hope and pray that I feel better by game day.”

Fields said he has been able to take most practice reps in advance of the Fiesta Bowl matchup, but added, “I can’t move like I want to really.”

Lingering injury

The sophomore transfer from Georgia struggled with the knee late in the season, aggravating the injury against Penn State and Michigan and missing several plays against the Wolverines after limping off the field. He played in the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin with an offensive lineman’s brace protecting his knee but limiting his mobility.

He said Tuesday he expects to wear a lighter knee brace against the Tigers.

Fields was third in the Heisman Trophy voting, having completed 208 of 308 passes for 2,953 yards, 40 touchdowns and one interception. He threw at least two touchdowns in every game this season and rushed for 471 yards and 10 scores.

The winner between 13-0 Ohio State and 13-0 Clemson will play for the national championship on Jan. 13 in New Orleans against the winner of No. 1 LSU-No. 4 Oklahoma in Saturday’s Peach Bowl.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)