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

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The 'Bama DL vs. the tOSU OL is the matchup that I am wondering about. I feel this will decide the game.

Is the 'Bama DL better than the tOSU DL? I know tOSU has the best lineman in Joey Bosa, but I feel like the 'Bama DL is better overall than their counterparts without Noah Spence. What are your thoughts on this.
 
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ant80 said:
The 'Bama DL vs. the tOSU OL is the matchup that I am wondering about. I feel this will decide the game.

Is the 'Bama DL better than the tOSU DL? I know tOSU has the best lineman in Joey Bosa, but I feel like the 'Bama DL is better overall than their counterparts without Noah Spence. What are your thoughts on this.
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They are just very different. Bama is built to contain. My understanding is the OSU dl is built to pass rush and be aggressive.
 
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Buckeye Offense: Quarterback Cardale Jones needs to play within himself and make the plays that are available. If Jones tries to be the hero, then the Buckeyes will lose. Jones played a great game against Wisconsin under the circumstances, but he also made several mistakes and was bailed out by his receivers on some questionable throws (the two arm punts to Devin Smith being the most notable). Ohio State needs to establish the inside run. Tailback Ezekiel Elliott has TD runs of 44, 65, and 81 yards in the last three games, and he needs to be a force tonight as well. Wide receiver Devin Smith had three long TDs against Wisconsin (39, 42, and 44 yards), and he should be able to exploit Bama's CBs for some big gains; however, Smith has had a tendency to disappear at times and for him to do so tonight would hurt the Buckeyes' chances immensely. H-back Jalin Marshall could be the X Factor, if he is able to gain yards on the edges. I don't see tight end Jeff Heuerman being much of a factor except as an extra blocker against Bama's stout defensive line.

Buckeye Defense: The main goal is to slow down Amari Cooper. Cornerback Doran Grant will not be able to shut Cooper down completely, but he has to prevent the huge plays. If Cooper catches 12 passes for 220 yards, then the Buckeyes will lose, and probably lose big. Alabama will move the ball consistently with their running game and probably not turn it over, so the key will be to hold them to field goals whenever possible. One big play from the defense might be a game changer. Linebacker Darron Lee (13.5 TFLs, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries for TDs) and defensive end Joey Bosa (20.0 TFLs, 13.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, fumble recovery for TD) have been the big play guys most of the season, and I look for one of them to make something happen tonight.

Buckeye Special Teams: The key here is not to make negative plays - no muffed punts, no kick-offs out of bounds, no holding penalties on returns, no roughing the kickers, no missed field goals. If the special teams can make basic plays and not put the offense or defense in bad positions, then they will have done their job.

The Result: I think that the game will see a lot of scoring, probably more field goals than touchdowns. It would not totally surprise me to see a blowout in either direction, but I think that the game will most likely be fairly close. I see the Buckeyes making a few more big plays than the Crimson Tide, and winning by the score of 37-33.
 
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Sticking with what worked for the B1G Champ Game....working until 7p (planned on grabbing Chipotle on the way home, but of course they're closed today). Fuck Bama. Fuck the $EC. Fuck ESPiN. Fuck TTUN.

LET'S GO BUCKS!!!!!
 
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