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

[sandgk]

In the Kentucky game he got his bell rung, after that hit he was less effective in that game. In the Ark game, we were more effective passing the ball becuase they were playing 8 in the box to stop the LSU rush.

Thanks - and the question was kind of rhetorical as I saw that game and the hit he took. My point was really more to what parrotdr followed-up with, as well as the situational aspect that you raise.
FWIW I think that Hester is used for a lot of the tougher yards, generally with high effectiveness. Playing good assignments on the D-line, and in the gaps, is the probably the best way to take Hester out of his game.

Even then I'm sure he will get some yards.

True. Weird thing about LSU is that even under Saban's coaching staff, they've never depended on one star back for the load, like most teams seem to do. The "running back by committee" seems to be the norm for LSU. Even when one of the "Parade All-Americans" who "back up" Hester (Williams, Scott, Murphy) breaks a long run, you can bet they'll be lucky to get two more carries the rest of the game.

I agree with all that. In fact Hester is more the feature back than I expected before the season began. Though, balance and versatility in the LSU running game is the message.

One thing, by way of contrast, is that Tressel will likely try to establish Wells in Ohio State's running game - but the Buckeyes also are blessed with talent in a 3-deep stable of backs. Each of whom has a contrasting style, with Beanie definitely being the stronger (and faster than you might expect) option.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Main problem in that game was the OT-DE matchups, as well as some extra 'padding' there and at QB.

Interesting discussion with TB the other day on ESPN where they asked him what the biggest challenge is to the long layoff. He talked about staying in shape and how nothing makes up for game speed. I know this may seem kind of obvious, but I always felt like we WERE slower in the NC game last year. Not just a perception, but we were slower off the ball and especially on the line as you said. Lots of talk about Troy putting on weight on the heisman circuit and getting a little out of shape, but I can't help but wonder if the whole team got a little fat and happy before that game. I think the staff and players will work like crazy to maintain the game speed and conditioning to the hilt this time. I don't think we'll see anyone "blowing by" Boone nearly every play like last year.

These guys have something to prove. They aren't content to just be there...they need to win this sucker and they know it. LSU on the other hand may just be content to make it there. Not saying LSU won't show up, but I think most of us probably feel like this is advantage OSU in the attitude/motivation dept.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Interesting discussion with TB the other day on ESPN where they asked him what the biggest challenge is to the long layoff. He talked about staying in shape and how nothing makes up for game speed. I know this may seem kind of obvious, but I always felt like we WERE slower in the NC game last year. Not just a perception, but we were slower off the ball and especially on the line as you said. Lots of talk about Troy putting on weight on the heisman circuit and getting a little out of shape, but I can't help but wonder if the whole team got a little fat and happy before that game. I think the staff and players will work like crazy to maintain the game speed and conditioning to the hilt this time. I don't think we'll see anyone "blowing by" Boone nearly every play like last year.

These guys have something to prove. They aren't content to just be there...they need to win this sucker and they know it. LSU on the other hand may just be content to make it there. Not saying LSU won't show up, but I think most of us probably feel like this is advantage OSU in the attitude/motivation dept.

LSU has 20 some odd SR's playing at home for a NC after they thought they had completely blown their chance. They have been battle tested in close games all year while we have not. These guys(LSU) are very similar in mentality to the 2003 Buckeyes imo(much better offense). This will be a war. I'd say the intangibles on this one are a wash.

 

[daveeb]

Interesting, it always seems like SEC games are played "faster" on TV.... apparently not. Could you get a breakdown of last years Florida/OSU 40 times?

Via NFLDraftScout.com

OSU QB Troy Smith 4.72
FL QB Chris Leak 4.74
FL QB Tim Tebow 4.58
Advantage: Florida

OSU RB Antonio Pittman 4.40
OSU RB Chris Wells 4.52
FL RB DeShawn Wynn 4.47
FL RB Kestahn Moore 4.47
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU WR Anthony Gonzalez 4.40
OSU WR Ted Ginn Jr. 4.38
OSU WR Brian Robiskie 4.57
OSU WR Roy Hall 4.46
FL WR Jermale Cornellius 4.57
FL WR Percy Harvin 4.40
FL WR Dallas Baker 4.53
FL WR Andre Caldwell 4.41
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU CB Malcolm Jenkins 4.45
OSU CB Antoine Smith 4.53
FL CB Reggie Lewis 4.54
FL CB Ryan Smith 4.51
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU MLB James Laurinaitis 4.53
FL MLB Brandon Siler 4.62
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU WLB John Kerr 4.76
FL WLB Earl Everett 4.73
Advantage: Florida

OSU SLB Marcus Freeman 4.67
FL SLB Brian Crum 4.73
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU DE Vernon Gholtson 4.67
OSU DE Jay Richardson 5.00
FL DE Derrick Harvey 4.73
FL DE Jarvis Moss 4.70
Advantage: Florida

OSU FS Jamario O'Neal 4.45 (Switched to SS this year)
FL FS Reggie Nelson 4.48
Advantage: Ohio State

OSU SS Brandon Mitchell 4.49
FL SS Tony Joiner 4.59
Advantage: Ohio State

 

[PlanetFrnd]

The most important thing to take away from these speed comparisons is that the speeds are comparable & even, not that one team is faster than the other... these are unofficial times, etc., etc.

The fact that we should have played as fast as Florida (which most Buckeye fans expected after watching the entire regular season) makes that damn game all the more frustrating. No letdown this year, boys!

 

[Jaxbuck]

[quote='BusNative;101703;0]The most important thing to take away from these speed comparisons is that the speeds are comparable & even, not that one team is faster than the other... these are unofficial times, etc., etc.

The fact that we should have played as fast as Florida (which most Buckeye fans expected after watching the entire regular season) makes that damn game all the more frustrating. No letdown this year, boys![/quote]


not to get off track but when you get very predictable the other team gets a lot faster. Players and coaches need to redeem themselves from last year.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Players and coaches need to redeem themselves from last year.

True that. JT and company WILL be up for that challenge.

 

[PlanetFrnd]

not to get off track but when you get very predictable the other team gets a lot faster. Players and coaches need to redeem themselves from last year.

Absolutely agree.

 

[smith403]

If we go in with the mentality of '02 we'll be fine:osu:

 

[Jaxbuck]

If we go in with the mentality of '02 we'll be fine:osu:

Agreed but it was easy to hate Miami. LSU seems to be cut from a different cloth....so far.

 

[cjmik_75]

True that. JT and company WILL be up for that challenge.

[quote='BusNative;101698;1]From what I can tell, this is the most even matchup that either team could have faced. If that speed chart wasn't proof enough of an even matchup, just look at the attributes:

1. Avg-Above Avg QBs with good size and strong arms.
2. Solid, tough RBs that can run between the tackle but have good speed once they get past initial contact.
3. Great defenses with playmakers all over the field.
4. Deep sets of WRs, featuring big-play home run guys and possession guys.
5. Talent in waves at every position - enough to run several lines in a game and stay fresh.

I would give LSU the nod in WR talent. I think Beanie has more ability than Hester, though I don't know if our depth is as...well, deep. I think our OL can provide better pass protection than LSU's OL, but both QB's are going to get hit because both teams are talented and deep on the DL. I know Dorsey is all world and will be healthy, but I like our line too and think that big Vern is as much a game-changer as anyone on anyone's DL. I would say that both sets of LBs are highly talented and so are the DBs of both teams.

One place where tOSU might be able to shine is in the TE position - Ballard and Nicol have great hands and are able blockers as well. One thing is certain - Flynn and Boeckman will have to avoid turnovers for either team to have a chance because both teams can put on controlled, clock killing drives.

And we have Tressel.

This should be a great game, it has all the makings of a classic. [/quote]






Go Bucks!!!

 

[Bucksfan4life]

I really don't remember Florida giving up 20 points in most of their games like LSU has this year.I know they've been battling injuries but I really don't see how they can bring something that we have'nt seen before.But i'm all for being the underdog.

 

[jwinslow]

Question for our visitors, why do your coaches jackets appear blue on TV? Your purple markings on the uniforms appear purple, but the jackets definitely look royal blue most of the time.

Are they indeed blue? Or is this just a fabric, camera lens thing? Or is there a strange propensity for not wearing school colors on the sidelines?

 

[Nutriaitch]

Question for our visitors, why do your coaches jackets appear blue on TV? Your purple markings on the uniforms appear purple, but the jackets definitely look royal blue most of the time.

Are they indeed blue? Or is this just a fabric, camera lens thing? Or is there a strange propensity for not wearing school colors on the sidelines?

I think it has something to do with the material they are made of. I have a jacket like the ones the Staff wears at the games. Trust me, it is purple, but for some reason on TV it comes across with a bluish tint.

 

[sandgk]

I think it has something to do with the material they are made of. I have a jacket like the ones the Staff wears at the games. Trust me, it is purple, but for some reason on TV it comes across with a bluish tint.

That implies the colorant is a metameric pigment or dye. When viewed in daylight it looks purple. Viewed under the stadium lights, or possibly due to filtering and chromatic distortion by the camera lens, purple shifts blue.