Game Thread BCS National Championship Game: tOSU 24, LSU 38 (final)

[jlb1705]

I'm too jacked up for the game to go to bed tonight. To pass the time, I'm watching the DVD of the game at Penn State. It was the most complete performance the Buckeyes put together this year, and they did it in a hostile environment. If the Buckeyes can repeat that performance, they'll be celebrating this time tomorrow.

Go Bucks!!!!!

 

[MajesticTurkey]

I really just don't see how LSU has the weapons to light up this defense. They don't have the speed at RB, and their offense is more designed to run pro sets, spread passing...and some option. But this team has been dominant against spread option attacks all year. As long as they don't throw the zone read at us

Demetrius Byrd is the guy who worries me since he'll line up most likely against Anderson Russell. Fortunately, if he beats Russell and we're in nickel, that gives us good ol' Malcolm Jenkins. Hester doesn't have the speed to do anything to us, except hope to pound it and run over Laurinaitis (which worries me, Animal's been pretty weak all year). And Trindon Holliday will not get through the line, and our back 7 has been quick to contain all year.

It'll be a defensive battle, but opening up the run early with a bit of passing, a steady diet of Beans, beans and Mo' rice, thunder and lightning, and the play action to Ray Small when they least expect it, brings home the crystal.

 

[bgantz]

I'm getting increasingly nervous...not sure how I will sleep tonight. Maybe I just won't...

I think the team needs to weather the storm early and keep their composure if LSU gets an early lead. I don't want to see the team get hesitant and nervous if a ball bounces LSU's way. They need to remember the game is 4 quarters and fight until the end.

I think I'm also very excited to see how the stadium will break down tomorrow...with it being in LSU's backyard, I think it is very generous to assume a 50-50 fan split in the stadium. I think 55-45 or 60-40 is the best we can hope for. If that's the case, I think home field advantage for LSU becomes neutralized. I can't see that extra 5-10% truly swaying the game in LSU's favor.

I think we need to run the damn ball, and run it all night. Get that D-line tired and keep LSU's offensive playmakers off the field by shortening the clock. I'm not just talking Wells between the tackles, but let's see some Saine and Mo Wells getting outside the tackles on some pitch outs or screens.

I do have to be honest about one thing, I'm a little nervous about Boeckman. It seems no matter how prepared or calm he is, he still is prone to throwing a wobbling underthrown deep ball into double coverage. He's got to be smart about the coverage, not to force things, and definitely not to turn the ball over....especially in the red zone. But that's just the problem to me...the more we ask him to be smarter about his reads, the more I'm concerned he will overthink what he's seeing in an attempt to not make a mistake. It seemed several times over the last few games of the season, he acted like he was feeling pressure from the D line when there really wasn't pressure at all...I think we will win this game if he plays well, that's how important he is.

 

[IYE2]

They don't have the speed at RB,

They have the fastest man in the NCAA. So..

I agree w/ Byrd though, he's def. playing as well if not better than Doucet.

 

[MajesticTurkey]

I'm getting increasingly nervous...not sure how I will sleep tonight. Maybe I just won't...

I think the team needs to weather the storm early and keep their composure if LSU gets an early lead. I don't want to see the team get hesitant and nervous if a ball bounces LSU's way. They need to remember the game is 4 quarters and fight until the end.

I think I'm also very excited to see how the stadium will break down tomorrow...with it being in LSU's backyard, I think it is very generous to assume a 50-50 fan split in the stadium. I think 55-45 or 60-40 is the best we can hope for. If that's the case, I think home field advantage for LSU becomes neutralized. I can't see that extra 5-10% truly swaying the game in LSU's favor.

I think we need to run the damn ball, and run it all night. Get that D-line tired and keep LSU's offensive playmakers off the field by shortening the clock. I'm not just talking Wells between the tackles, but let's see some Saine and Mo Wells getting outside the tackles on some pitch outs or screens.

I do have to be honest about one thing, I'm a little nervous about Boeckman. It seems no matter how prepared or calm he is, he still is prone to throwing a wobbling underthrown deep ball into double coverage. He's got to be smart about the coverage, not to force things, and definitely not to turn the ball over....especially in the red zone. But that's just the problem to me...the more we ask him to be smarter about his reads, the more I'm concerned he will overthink what he's seeing in an attempt to not make a mistake. It seemed several times over the last few games of the season, he acted like he was feeling pressure from the D line when there really wasn't pressure at all...I think we will win this game if he plays well, that's how important he is.

Hey bro, don't get nervous. What happens, happens. But this team has played its best ball when the head was on. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State...and even Illinois. Granted we didn't beat Illinois, but when they had to come from behind, the offense started to become pretty much unstoppable.

That said, I know why you're worried about Boeckman. But he was learning all year, and he's been progressing during the off time. Tressel is a great quarterbacks coach. Those INTs (again, especially against Illinois) were an aberration.

 

[bucknut11]

Even though he's hiding in purple, Coach Miles is still a m*ch*g*n man, a fact that won't get past JT. He's going to remind Les that it's a good thing he didn't take the job in ann arbor....... again (remember the Alamo?)

31-21, OSU

 

[MajesticTurkey]

They have the fastest man in the NCAA. So..

I agree w/ Byrd though, he's def. playing as well if not better than Doucet.

I don't consider Holliday a RB. He's like Percy Harvin or Reggie Bush (or Brandon Saine)...an all-around, RB/WR/wingback/slotback/multiback/superman do everything player. He's no every-down back, and never will be, so let's just call him a WR who takes sweeps :P

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

OSU- 31
LSU- 13

I agree totally with that prediction...

 

[jlb1705]

Hester doesn't have the speed to do anything to us, except hope to pound it and run over Laurinaitis (which worries me, Animal's been pretty weak all year).

Huh?!

 

[scarletngray]

I'm getting increasingly nervous...not sure how I will sleep tonight. Maybe I just won't...

I think the team needs to weather the storm early and keep their composure if LSU gets an early lead. I don't want to see the team get hesitant and nervous if a ball bounces LSU's way. They need to remember the game is 4 quarters and fight until the end.

I think I'm also very excited to see how the stadium will break down tomorrow...with it being in LSU's backyard, I think it is very generous to assume a 50-50 fan split in the stadium. I think 55-45 or 60-40 is the best we can hope for. If that's the case, I think home field advantage for LSU becomes neutralized. I can't see that extra 5-10% truly swaying the game in LSU's favor.

I think we need to run the damn ball, and run it all night. Get that D-line tired and keep LSU's offensive playmakers off the field by shortening the clock. I'm not just talking Wells between the tackles, but let's see some Saine and Mo Wells getting outside the tackles on some pitch outs or screens.

I do have to be honest about one thing, I'm a little nervous about Boeckman. It seems no matter how prepared or calm he is, he still is prone to throwing a wobbling underthrown deep ball into double coverage. He's got to be smart about the coverage, not to force things, and definitely not to turn the ball over....especially in the red zone. But that's just the problem to me...the more we ask him to be smarter about his reads, the more I'm concerned he will overthink what he's seeing in an attempt to not make a mistake. It seemed several times over the last few games of the season, he acted like he was feeling pressure from the D line when there really wasn't pressure at all...I think we will win this game if he plays well, that's how important he is.

Have you seen Flynn throw the ball? I will be VERY surprised if we don't get at least one INT this game.

:osu:

 

[schwab]

For the sake of going on record, and possibly stabbing the score correctly, I am going to claim an OSU victory 26-16.

If you want to know how I arrived at that score, you are just going to have to watch along with me.

 

[MajesticTurkey]

Huh?!

He doesn't get off blocks very well. He's a beast, I love him, and a great player, but he got trucked by Tebow last year and was having a lot of problems shedding the blocks this year.

I guess I kind of sounded pretty bad. Heh. I'm thinking of the PSU game where a fullback on Laurinaitis shut him down completely.

And yeah, Flynn is very mistake-prone. But besides Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurinaitis this team has butterfingers. A mass case of Braylonitis. I still want to see at least a pick. Maybe Jenkins can snatch one away from Early Doucet and take it to the house. I would need a change of pants if that happened.

 

[bgantz]

Have you seen Flynn throw the ball? I will be VERY surprised if we don't get at least one INT this game.

:osu:

I would say I don't disagree with that statement..I do know as a defense we haven't forced many interceptions this year though. Teams seem to shy away from Jenkins, and I'm not sure how many more times Anderson Russell can get hit right between the numbers without catching the ball...I do like Kurt Coleman a lot though...it's a bit odd how he hasn't had more turnovers go his way this year. I would have to say he's got to be the least-mentioned starter on our D...save for maybe Denlinger.

I really do hope you're right. I could see a scenario where turnovers are more likely to come in the way of fumbles from LSU than interceptions...

 

[shetuck]

Sporting News: Ohio State-LSU: Five things to watch

the funniest part is saying Boone and Barton are "unknown" quantities b/c they couldn't handle UF last year. [sarcasm on] sure! their play probably hasn't improved AT ALL in the last year... [sarcasm off]

Ohio State-LSU: Five things to watch

January 6, 2008
Matt Hayes

1. Set the tone early

Ohio State's players and coaches have talked about their ability to focus and control road environments. They point to their 5-0 road record and their quick starts in those games. [...]

But the reality is, the only road game with any oomph was Michigan in Ann Arbor, where the Buckeyes led 7-3 at halftime. Not exactly controlling the situation. [...]

2. Spread it out

Teams that have had success against the LSU defense spread out the unit with four- and five-wide receiver sets and force the back seven to cover and chase in space.

Ohio State's receivers are vastly underrated. [...] There is, however, one key factor: When Ohio State spreads it out, QB Todd Boeckman must recognize unblocked blitzers. That has been a problem with Boeckman much of the season, and his efficiency drops significantly if he can 't set his feet and square his shoulders before throwing. And LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is big on disguising zone blitzes.

3. The Les Factor

Call it what you want, but LSU coach Les Miles has proven time again he has no fear when it comes to making unorthodox game calls.
[...]

4. The other quarterback

The popular theory floating around New Orleans is Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is playing mind games with LSU by saying backup quarterback Antonio Henton could see action in certain sets. You know, make the Tigers game plan for more than just Boeckman.

For those who think this is a gimmick move: Rob Schoenhoft, OSU's primary backup all season, was moved to tight end in bowl practices the same time Henton was elevated from the No.3 spot. [...]

5. Getting physical

Ohio State's goal in last year's national title game was similar to the postseason game plans of many Big Ten teams: get physical and eliminate the opponents' speed on defense.

cont'd...

 

[schwab]

I do know as a defense we haven't forced many interceptions this year though......I could see a scenario where turnovers are more likely to come in the way of fumbles from LSU than interceptions...

The number I have heard is 14.

14 dropped interceptions on the season for our defense. Do you see that trend continuing if the ball comes our way? If so, you are taking the angle that it's just our DB's inability to catch the ball. If not, you are with me, thinking that we are due. I can see multiple INT's there for the taking. Our secondary does not just lose the ability to catch the football, and the numbers will try to even themselves out tomorrow night. 2-3 INT's for our D.