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- Thread starter Carmen Ohio
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Cleveland PD
OSU bowl plans very much TBA
Monday, November 14, 2005Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman had extra motivation when he returned from back spasms in the first half Saturday to help drive the offense as the Buckeyes stormed past Northwestern, 48-7.
"My mind-set was to go out there and just do my job," Pittman said. "That's the only thing I can I do so we don't go back to the Alamo Bowl."
You'd think Pittman wouldn't mind a return trip to a city practically named for him, but for weeks Pittman has been crusading against going back to San Antonio, home of the bowl that gets the fourth choice of Big Ten teams. He doesn't want to think about the Buckeyes as a fourth choice.
He shouldn't have to worry.
It wasn't the Buckeyes' win that virtually eliminated the chances of that happening, but the loss by Wisconsin on Saturday that should allow Ohio State to fall no lower than the bowl that gets the Big Ten's third pick, the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
And it was hard to ignore the two gentlemen in orange blazers at Ohio Stadium on Saturday who were there on behalf of the Orange Bowl.
The Buckeyes control some of their bowl fate. A win against Michigan would at least tie them for the Big Ten title with Penn State. But even a co-championship leaves a lot up in the air when it comes to holiday travel plans:
A BCS automatic bid: If Ohio State wins and Penn State loses to Michigan State, the Buckeyes would be outright Big Ten champs and qualify for a BCS bid to either the Fiesta, Orange or Sugar bowls. If USC plays Texas in the Rose Bowl, the order of selection for the bowls would be Fiesta, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, with the ACC champ tied to the Orange Bowl and the SEC champ tied to the Sugar.
If, as expected, Notre Dame finishes with nine wins and among the top 12 teams in the BCS standings, the Irish would be an attractive selection with the Fiesta's first pick, especially since OSU has played in the Fiesta two of the past four years. Ohio State would then be a popular pick to go to the Orange Bowl for the first time since New Year's Day 1977, with Miami the likely foe.
A BCS at-large berth: If Penn State and Ohio State both win, the Buckeyes, up to No. 9 in the latest AP poll, would remain a candidate for one of two at-large spots in BCS bowls. They would be guaranteed an at-large spot only if they were in the top four of the BCS.
A Notre Dame team that wins out is a near-lock for one spot. At this point, the other contenders include one-loss teams like Virginia Tech, Oregon and Alabama.
Alabama's loss actually hurt Ohio State. The Crimson Tide probably won't play in the SEC title game. If they beat Auburn to end the regular season, they'd finish as a one-loss traditional power bouncing back from some tough times, with fans likely hungry for a major bowl.
But as an Orange Bowl rep noted after taking in the spectacle that is a home game Saturday in Columbus, no bowl can ignore the possibilities of what Ohio State has to offer.
The Capital One Bowl: This bowl, with the top choice of Big Ten teams not in BCS bowls, would love to get the Buckeyes in Orlando for the first time since 1996 if Ohio State beats Michigan, hoping the BCS passes on OSU.
"Obviously the Big Ten would like to get two BCS teams," said bowl spokesman Brett Sowell, "but selfishly for us, it would be better."
If Ohio State loses to Michigan, the rallying Wolverines, with the same record as the Buckeyes, would probably be chosen here, since performance in the final five games of the season is one of the many selection criteria.
The Outback Bowl: With the next choice after the Capital One Bowl, Ohio State would be a probable pick if it loses to Michigan. The Buckeyes lost to South Carolina in Tampa after both the 2000 and 2001 seasons. But if Michigan blows out the Buckeyes, Wisconsin, in the final season for coach Barry Alvarez, could be chosen, even though the Badgers would finish one game behind Ohio State in the conference standings.
That's not likely. But that would leave the Alamo. And that wouldn't make Pittman very happy.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748.
OSU bowl plans very much TBA
Monday, November 14, 2005Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman had extra motivation when he returned from back spasms in the first half Saturday to help drive the offense as the Buckeyes stormed past Northwestern, 48-7.
"My mind-set was to go out there and just do my job," Pittman said. "That's the only thing I can I do so we don't go back to the Alamo Bowl."
You'd think Pittman wouldn't mind a return trip to a city practically named for him, but for weeks Pittman has been crusading against going back to San Antonio, home of the bowl that gets the fourth choice of Big Ten teams. He doesn't want to think about the Buckeyes as a fourth choice.
He shouldn't have to worry.
It wasn't the Buckeyes' win that virtually eliminated the chances of that happening, but the loss by Wisconsin on Saturday that should allow Ohio State to fall no lower than the bowl that gets the Big Ten's third pick, the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
And it was hard to ignore the two gentlemen in orange blazers at Ohio Stadium on Saturday who were there on behalf of the Orange Bowl.
The Buckeyes control some of their bowl fate. A win against Michigan would at least tie them for the Big Ten title with Penn State. But even a co-championship leaves a lot up in the air when it comes to holiday travel plans:
A BCS automatic bid: If Ohio State wins and Penn State loses to Michigan State, the Buckeyes would be outright Big Ten champs and qualify for a BCS bid to either the Fiesta, Orange or Sugar bowls. If USC plays Texas in the Rose Bowl, the order of selection for the bowls would be Fiesta, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, with the ACC champ tied to the Orange Bowl and the SEC champ tied to the Sugar.
If, as expected, Notre Dame finishes with nine wins and among the top 12 teams in the BCS standings, the Irish would be an attractive selection with the Fiesta's first pick, especially since OSU has played in the Fiesta two of the past four years. Ohio State would then be a popular pick to go to the Orange Bowl for the first time since New Year's Day 1977, with Miami the likely foe.
A BCS at-large berth: If Penn State and Ohio State both win, the Buckeyes, up to No. 9 in the latest AP poll, would remain a candidate for one of two at-large spots in BCS bowls. They would be guaranteed an at-large spot only if they were in the top four of the BCS.
A Notre Dame team that wins out is a near-lock for one spot. At this point, the other contenders include one-loss teams like Virginia Tech, Oregon and Alabama.
Alabama's loss actually hurt Ohio State. The Crimson Tide probably won't play in the SEC title game. If they beat Auburn to end the regular season, they'd finish as a one-loss traditional power bouncing back from some tough times, with fans likely hungry for a major bowl.
But as an Orange Bowl rep noted after taking in the spectacle that is a home game Saturday in Columbus, no bowl can ignore the possibilities of what Ohio State has to offer.
The Capital One Bowl: This bowl, with the top choice of Big Ten teams not in BCS bowls, would love to get the Buckeyes in Orlando for the first time since 1996 if Ohio State beats Michigan, hoping the BCS passes on OSU.
"Obviously the Big Ten would like to get two BCS teams," said bowl spokesman Brett Sowell, "but selfishly for us, it would be better."
If Ohio State loses to Michigan, the rallying Wolverines, with the same record as the Buckeyes, would probably be chosen here, since performance in the final five games of the season is one of the many selection criteria.
The Outback Bowl: With the next choice after the Capital One Bowl, Ohio State would be a probable pick if it loses to Michigan. The Buckeyes lost to South Carolina in Tampa after both the 2000 and 2001 seasons. But if Michigan blows out the Buckeyes, Wisconsin, in the final season for coach Barry Alvarez, could be chosen, even though the Badgers would finish one game behind Ohio State in the conference standings.
That's not likely. But that would leave the Alamo. And that wouldn't make Pittman very happy.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748.
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ohiostate=life
Still Workin Hard...
Had USC played a team that could play four quarters of defense they would have possibly three losses eight now (Oregon, followed by Arizona State, later followed by Notre Shame). None of those three teams play even a resemblance of "team defense" the entire game. USC was down to all of those opponents and they all let them come back and win. Texas has a very good defense. USC is not used to playing teams who play defense ALL FOUR QUARTERS. They are from the Pac 10 remember. I feel Texas will beat USC soundly. Not a killing, but it won't be a buzzer beater. If you can honestly tell me your arrogant enough to sit there and say you would hold USC in check better than Texas,....I don't even know what to call you. Just hope for your sake you end up playing someone weak in the bowl game so you can continue your preaching of Notre Lame dominance.
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Pheasant
This space for rent.
Chokelahoma had a quarterback who was basically propped up on crutches in the pocket. Any pressure and he was done. Texas doesn't have that problem. They also have arguably the best combination of O and D lines in the country. Speed everywhere, and probably more speed than USC.
Texas is Ohio State in 2002. The defense isn't quite as dominant, but the offense more than makes up for it. USC doesn't have the speed to run away from Texas like they do the PAC 10 chumps. They almost lost to Notre Dame, who has the #77 total defense in the country.
Texas may not win convincingly, but they're going to win. Keep talking about Texas getting blown out, saying they can't hang with USC. Reminds me of Trev Alberts.
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Well if we are going back to last year.....Texas is an 11-1 Rose Bowl winning wannabe with a heisman frontrunner QB.NOTREDAMECHIEF said:
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I was under the impression that an at large bid can be selected by the committee.
According to the talking heads on ABC, an OSU vs. ND matchup would be coveted by the Fiesta Bowl.
OSU still needs to take care of business this weekend.....
According to the talking heads on ABC, an OSU vs. ND matchup would be coveted by the Fiesta Bowl.
OSU still needs to take care of business this weekend.....
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First, the BCS one and two ranked teams are slotted directly to the national title game.
Rose Bowl: USC v. Texas
Second, all remaining conference champions are slotted directly to their conferences' normally affiliated bowl.
Orange: Should receive the ACC champ, so presumably Miami, Fla.
Fiesta: Would normally be the Big-XII champ, but Texas is going to the Rose instead.
Sugar: Has first choice of Big East or SEC champ, so probably LSU.
Next, the compensatory picks are handed out before the at-large selections are made. Since the Fiesta Bowl presumably loses their affiliated conference pick (Big-XII, Texas) the Fiesta gets first pick preceding all other bowls. So Orange, Fiesta, Sugar becomes Fiesta, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar.
The Fiesta will take Notre Dame. That's pretty much a slam dunk. Really, the Orange is in the drivers' seat, since they get to choose between the Big-10 champ, Big East champ, and eligible at-large teams. The Orange Bowl essentially has the choice of marketing a rematch of two of the great Fiesta Bowls: PSU/Miami or OSU/Miami. Either one is a ratings bonanza for the Orange.
The Fiesta gets the following pick, and will most likely take whichever of the two Big-10 teams the Orange didn't take, since PSU/ND and OSU/ND are ideal choices. This leaves the Sugar Bowl the Big East champ to face the SEC champ.
Any combination of PSU/OSU v. Miami/ND is huge, and both the Orange and Fiesta will prefer one of these setups over having Alabama, Oregon, Virginia Tech, or anyone else.
Bottom line is, beat Michigan and OSU should be in the BCS as an at-large pick.
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ohiostate=life
Still Workin Hard...
Chokelahoma had a quarterback who was basically propped up on crutches in the pocket. Any pressure and he was done. Texas doesn't have that problem. They also have arguably the best combination of O and D lines in the country. Speed everywhere, and probably more speed than USC.
Texas is Ohio State in 2002. The defense isn't quite as dominant, but the offense more than makes up for it. USC doesn't have the speed to run away from Texas like they do the PAC 10 chumps. They almost lost to Notre Dame, who has the #77 total defense in the country.
Texas may not win convincingly, but they're going to win. Keep talking about Texas getting blown out, saying they can't hang with USC. Reminds me of Trev Alberts.
What he said..
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OU gave up an absurd amount of points to OkState, and we all know about that team.
USC's defense last year was outstanding, this year it is very suspect. The talking heads want to worship their feet for slowing down second-tier Pac10 teams, but I sure saw a lot of missed tackles in that first quarter vs. Cal. Those players do not have anywhere near the athleticism and strength of VY, Charles, Melton and the rest of their talented players.
USC has a very good offense. But I would favor Texas every day of the week, and twice on saturdays. Their defense can stick with USC's offense, and their offense is gonna fly thru those arm tackles by inexperienced defenders from SoCal.
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ohiostate=life
Still Workin Hard...
Exactly. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Good defense beats good offense everyday time.
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Captain Hindsight
The Hero of the Modern Age
It'd be kind of cool to play ND because they have Brady Quinn, from Dublin (Coffman High). I hate ND, but I like rooting for Brady Quinn because he lived like 3 miles away from me. Hopefully, we will get a chance to play them; so we can prove all doubters wrong.
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