Game Thread 2015 Sugar Bowl: (1) Alabama vs. (4) Ohio State, Jan 1st @ 8:30p ET, ESPN (civilized thread)

[scarletngray]

He sounds like our safety, Landon Collins, who comes in to play LB on certain sets.

Collins is a beast. He will probably be the best athlete on the field Jan.1st. BTW - If I recall correctly Lee was a QB in HS and was recruited as an athlete. Like Landon, he is a difference maker on Defense.

 

[Bill Lucas]

Our receivers have blocked like beasts all season. They definitely need to do this again this game. If they do, that edge will be little softer.

 

[Telekinesis]

I don't think Bama is a slower, power team. I think OSU has a few spots where they are faster but I don't see a distinction overall.

You just don't see it because that B1G speed is so fast.

 

[scarletngray]

Our receivers have blocked like beasts all season. They definitely need to do this again this game. If they do, that edge will be little softer.

Good point! One of the keys to our running game. The receivers need to be physical against Bama's DB's.

 

[Crump's brother]

It is how 6 yard runs become 60 yard runs.

 

[JCOSU86]

I am imagining 3 possible scenarios:

Alabama makes a lot of mistakes and OSU wins a close one (20%)
It's a slugfest and Alabama wins a close one (40%)
Alabama wins handily by +10 pts (40%)

I hope for #1.

 

[Coqui]

I am imagining 3 possible scenarios:

Alabama makes a lot of mistakes and OSU wins a close one (20%)
It's a slugfest and Alabama wins a close one (40%)
Alabama wins handily by +10 pts (40%)

I hope for #1.

So you feel OSU is so outmatched that the only way OSU can win is off of numerous mistakes?

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State beating Alabama in buying Sugar Bowl tickets

Since Sunday's announcement that Ohio State would meet top-ranked Alabama in the national semifinal game on Jan.1, fans in the Buckeye State have scooped up 21 percent of tickets purchased on SeatGeek, compared to 18 percent bought in Alabama.

Connor Gregoire, an analyst for SeatGeek, speculated that Ohio State's strong and surprising finish at the end of the season – a 59-0 victory over Wisconsin with third-string quarterback Cardale Jones at the helm – accounts for the strong ticket sales.

"It seems odd to call Ohio State the Cinderella team," said Gregoire. "But they really are the underdog here."

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/12/ohio_state_beating_alabama_in.html

 

[Coqui]

Connor Gregoire, an analyst for SeatGeek, speculated that Ohio State's strong and surprising finish at the end of the season – a 59-0 victory over Wisconsin with third-string quarterback Cardale Jones at the helm – accounts for the strong ticket sales.

Has nothing to do with the fact that Buckeye fans always show up in droves I'm sure.

Maybe I can become an analyst for them.

 

[JCOSU86]

So you feel OSU is so outmatched that the only way OSU can win is off of numerous mistakes?

<sigh> I don't want to think so, but 40+ years of losing to a certain unnamed conference does that to a guy

 

[Coqui]

<sigh> I don't want to think so, but 40+ years of losing to a certain unnamed conference does that to a guy

How many of those teams had the offensive power OSU has now?
Didn't OSU beat Arkansas a few years back?
Can you name a better coach to have when you're a major underdog?

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

<sigh> I don't want to think so, but 40+ years of losing to a certain unnamed conference does that to a guy

FYI, ESPN is giving us a higher probability of beating Alabama than you are. Think about that for a second...
http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11984389/college-football-championship-drive

41.3% chance of winning, with a 6.1% chance of doing so by 21 or more.

 

[JCOSU86]

Good Lord I hope so. I would literally give a kidney for a 21+ pt win.

Not an exaggeration.

 

[JCOSU86]

How many of those teams had the offensive power OSU has now?
Didn't OSU beat Arkansas a few years back?
Can you name a better coach to have when you're a major underdog?

I can't argue any of that. The key will be the lines. If OSU controls the LOS they win.

 

[jwinslow]

Good Lord I hope so. I would literally give a kidney for a 21+ pt win.

Not an exaggeration.

Well gents, who is up for a nephrectomy tonight, before he changes his mind ?