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

[Tigertracker]

There are a couple of your items I would like to comment on. My opinion is not any more valid than yours, but it is my opinion.
Flynn is the starting QB because he is a senior with total command of the offense. He is not a great QB, but he seldom makes mistakes and when he does, it does not rattle him. Perrilloux is more physicaly talented, but less experienced. He has spent a considerable amount of time in Mile's dog house, because of off the field problems. He has had a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. How does off the field decisions have anything to do with this game? They don't. Worst case is the QB position is a push.
I would give a slight edge to OSU at starting RB, although If I had a 3rd and 2, I can't think of anyone that I would rather have than Hester. I do think that LSU has more quality depth at RB than OSU, but you can only use so many during a game.slight edge but really this is a question of the running game in general and both teams can run, no doubt about it.
OL, OSU has had great success with their line, but I don't believe they can be compared. I don't recall any common opponents, and with all due respect, OSU didn't play a very tough schedule this year.The schedule we played so far has little or no bearing what so ever on this game either or how well either O-line is our "not very tough schedule" doesn't make LSU's O-line better, sorry it doesn't.
Steltz was used less as a safety and more as a deep linebacker for the second half of the year because of injuries to our defensive line, that is why it may appear that he was out of position at times. Steltz is a hitter no doubt I'd love him in Scarlet and Gray. Russell, Washington and Jenkins in no particular order...Advantage tOSU if for no other reason the deep pass has been defended very well all year and they all play well vs the run.
Coaching- You say "Tressel by a long shot" and you are entitled to that opinion, I would submit that it is impossible to compare them. What would the won/loss percentage be if they swapped opponents, we have no way of knowing. One thing is for sure though, by any criteria you wish to use, Miles has faced a tougher schedule at LSU than Tressel has, and has about the same record. As for Mile's handling of the Michigan job, you say he didn't handle it properly, what did he do wrong? He announced that he wouldn't talk to them until after the SEC championship game and that he didn't want to discuss it until then. It wasn't his fault that ESPN came out with their announcement on the morning of the game, and he had to call a press conference to deny it. I don't believe he deserves the "Wack job" comment.Tressell 3rd Division 1 National Championship appearance in 6 years. Big if not emormous advantage besides he whooped les in the Alamo Bowl in 2004.

How does off the field decisions have anything to do with this game? They don't. Worst case is the QB position is a push
Please don't put words in my mouth, I did not express an opinion on who had the advantage at QB. I was answering a question about why Flynn was the starter instead of Perrilloux and off field problems are a big part of it.
The schedule we played so far has little or no bearing what so ever on this game either or how well either O-line is our "not very tough schedule" doesn't make LSU's O-line better, sorry it doesn't.
Again you are trying to put words in my mouth, I made no claim that LSU had the better line. I said that I feel they cannot be compared, stats are useless unless the schedules are compatable or are against common opponents, and even then they are questionable.
Tressell 3rd Division 1 National Championship appearance in 6 years. Big if not emormous advantage besides he whooped les in the Alamo Bowl in 2004.
Please note that I compared the 2 coaching records for the time Miles has been at LSU. Tressel beating Miles when he was at OK St. has no bearing at all as far as I am concerned. If Miles had been coaching OSU and Tressel would have been coaching OK. St., what do you think the outcome would have been. OSU is the big boy in your state, OK. St. has to play second fiddle to OK, much the same as Mich. St. does to Mich. We did pretty well recently with one of those Mich. St. coaches, hopefully we will do well with this one.

 

[Captain Hindsight]

Both sides say otherwise. Michigan says they didn't talk, and LSU says they didn't talk.

Damn. That's like asking who you trust more: Hitler or Stalin?

 

[t_BuckeyeScott]

I've not given any opinions about the game until now. I don't always, but I would like to take a look in a slighty different manner than I've seen.

QB's
Todd Boeckman and Recievers vs. LSU defense: I think this is easily the best defense he will have seen this year. Biggest worry I have for the Buckeyes. I do think that Tressel and co. can prepare him, but that is no guarantee right now. Mobility is not much of a concern for LSU (and shouldn't be, he's not even Krenzel). Running game could help, but that is no guarantee, see Illinois, scUM. LSU's only problem in coverage may be too much aggressiveness. They tend to jump the shorter routes and may be burned long. But they are all very good in coverage and tackling. The one thing I question about the Buckeye passing game in general this year is the quick-hitting intermediate routes. I can't tell whether it's Boeckman or the reciever's not separating. LSU's secondary also has good size and athleticism, so the Boeckman special jump ball even between Robiskie and the LSU secondary is likely not a good idea. Linebacker's are all fast and fairly good in coverage. I do believe Jake Ballard for the Buckeyes given his size and athleticism can be a good weapon for the Buckeyes given the opportunity.

I think that LSU's DEs are good players but that the strength of the OSU line is the tackle position. I think everyone can expect the OT's to play better than in the game that didn't happen last January. Pressure will have to come against the interior. A healthy Dorsey will likely do battle against Center Cordle and Guard Person, both solid lineman, but Dorsey is a an awesome player capable of beating double teams. The other battle inside should be fairly even Favorite and Rehring; both are solid players. When in pass protection backs and TEs are more than adequate except freshman RB Saine.

Flynn/Perrilloux and Recievers vs. OSU defense: Interesting match-up to me. LSU has played one defense similar in talent and experience to the Buckeye's D: Auburn, but the Buckeye's play a different style than Auburn who seem to relentlessly blitz with little zone while the Buckeye's blitz, but more of the zone variety. Malcom Jenkins is the top talent in the country at corner, while Washington and Checkwas are very solid as well. Freeman and Laurinitas are very good in pass coverage while Larry Grant is solid. I do not believe that LSU has faced a secondary as good across the board. The Illinois passing game caused secondary confusion, but that is a rare occasion for these DB's. The Buckeye D has not faced a recieving corp as deep as LSU's, but have faced individuals with as much skill and talent as LSU's best, Doucet. Flynn has been inconsistent this year. He's been smart but somewhat inaccurate while also suffering from injuries to Doucet and the dropsies of Lafelle. WR Byrd has come on strong lately and seems to be more consistent than Lafelle. Perrilloux looked mighty fine against Tennessee, and has a strong accurate arm with a quick release. It seems that for most of the year though when starting Flynn, Miles has only brought him in to run the option or QB draws. I believe Miles will play Flynn more often and as a Buckeye that's who I want to see.

This pass rush is the inverse of the opposite match-up. The Buckeyes tend to match up better on the DE's while LSU's relative strength seems to be in the interior.

OSU running game vs. LSU defense.
Beanie Wells must play well for OSU to win. LSU linebackers are great in pursuit and excellent tacklers but don't have great size. The OSU line has been an excellent run blocking machine but LSU's line has played the the Run extemely well. If the LSU stops the Buckeye run game the Buckeye's will not score. That will be the chore and the likely key to the game. Beanie Wells is probably the 2nd best back LSU has seen behind McFadden, but the OSU oline is the best run blocking line LSU will have faced. The OSU doesn't tend to throw oddball run formations like RKasnsas did.

LSU running game vs OSU defense.
LSU as has been noted many times, has a stable of backs. They are all very good. I'm not sure it matters which back but LSU must attack the center of the DLine. Running to the edge this season has not worked for anyone this season against the Buckeye D. The Buckeyes are likely the best in country at filling these gaps. In the middle as shown by Akron, Illinois, and Penn State can be a great weapon though. While noone on the Buckeye DLine is anywhere near the player Dorsey is injuries in the middle have been an issue. Buckeye fans are hoping that it has been shored up. LSU would do well to use zone reads a la Illinois up the middle with either of the QB's. Everyone would agree that Perrilloux is the more explosive of the options. One key in this match up might be WLB Marcus Freeman. If he plays well, like at Penn State it could shore up the Buckeye run D, if he plays like he did at Illinois the Buckeyes could be in trouble.

Special Teams
Neither have covered well but LSU has Trindon Holliday, a player the Buckeyes have not been able to match.

I don't think the Buckeye's can score if they can't run the ball, while LSU may still be able to score if the Buckeyes were able to shut down either the run or the pass (not both obviously).

Should be a hell of game.

 

[sandgk]

There are a couple of your items I would like to comment on. My opinion is not any more valid than yours, but it is my opinion.
Flynn is the starting QB because he is a senior with total command of the offense. He is not a great QB, but he seldom makes mistakes and when he does, it does not rattle him. Perrilloux is more physicaly talented, but less experienced. He has spent a considerable amount of time in Mile's dog house, because of off the field problems. He has had a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. How does off the field decisions have anything to do with this game? They don't. Worst case is the QB position is a push.
I would give a slight edge to OSU at starting RB, although If I had a 3rd and 2, I can't think of anyone that I would rather have than Hester. I do think that LSU has more quality depth at RB than OSU, but you can only use so many during a game.slight edge but really this is a question of the running game in general and both teams can run, no doubt about it.
OL, OSU has had great success with their line, but I don't believe they can be compared. I don't recall any common opponents, and with all due respect, OSU didn't play a very tough schedule this year.The schedule we played so far has little or no bearing what so ever on this game either or how well either O-line is our "not very tough schedule" doesn't make LSU's O-line better, sorry it doesn't.
Steltz was used less as a safety and more as a deep linebacker for the second half of the year because of injuries to our defensive line, that is why it may appear that he was out of position at times. Steltz is a hitter no doubt I'd love him in Scarlet and Gray. Russell, Washington and Jenkins in no particular order...Advantage tOSU if for no other reason the deep pass has been defended very well all year and they all play well vs the run.
Coaching- You say "Tressel by a long shot" and you are entitled to that opinion, I would submit that it is impossible to compare them. What would the won/loss percentage be if they swapped opponents, we have no way of knowing. One thing is for sure though, by any criteria you wish to use, Miles has faced a tougher schedule at LSU than Tressel has, and has about the same record. As for Mile's handling of the Michigan job, you say he didn't handle it properly, what did he do wrong? He announced that he wouldn't talk to them until after the SEC championship game and that he didn't want to discuss it until then. It wasn't his fault that ESPN came out with their announcement on the morning of the game, and he had to call a press conference to deny it. I don't believe he deserves the "Wack job" comment.Tressell 3rd Division 1 National Championship appearance in 6 years. Big if not emormous advantage besides he whooped les in the Alamo Bowl in 2004.[/quote]

How does off the field decisions have anything to do with this game? They don't. Worst case is the QB position is a push
Please don't put words in my mouth, I did not express an opinion on who had the advantage at QB. I was answering a question about why Flynn was the starter instead of Perrilloux and off field problems are a big part of it.
The schedule we played so far has little or no bearing what so ever on this game either or how well either O-line is our "not very tough schedule" doesn't make LSU's O-line better, sorry it doesn't.
Again you are trying to put words in my mouth, I made no claim that LSU had the better line. I said that I feel they cannot be compared, stats are useless unless the schedules are compatable or are against common opponents, and even then they are questionable.
Tressell 3rd Division 1 National Championship appearance in 6 years. Big if not emormous advantage besides he whooped les in the Alamo Bowl in 2004.
Please note that I compared the 2 coaching records for the time Miles has been at LSU. Tressel beating Miles when he was at OK St. has no bearing at all as far as I am concerned. If Miles had been coaching OSU and Tressel would have been coaching OK. St., what do you think the outcome would have been. OSU is the big boy in your state, OK. St. has to play second fiddle to OK, much the same as Mich. St. does to Mich. We did pretty well recently with one of those Mich. St. coaches, hopefully we will do well with this one.

This has been a test of the quote feature on BP.
OK. State was favored in that Alamo Bowl game BTW.

 

[Nutriaitch]

Jon Heacock, Tressel's successor at YSU, has gone 43-27 in 7 years there. Tressel's Penguins had 103 wins in the 90s.

I'm not denying Tressel is a great coach.

What I am doing, is defending our coach.
People say he's winning with Saban's talent. But they overlook that he's got a better winning percentage the last 3 years than Saban did the previous 3. They also fail to mention that his recruiting classes have been ranked as good/better than Saban's were.
People say he was only mediocre at Oklahoma St. but don't realize that wht he did there was about on par with what Jimmy Johnson (widel regarded as a pretty good coach) did.
If you look at his 4th down calls from the Florida game in a vacuum, and it looks like he's just gambling away. In the context of that game, the decision to go for it was a no-brainer. Everyone knew he had to go for it, even Florida's coach. But he made the right calls, and were successful.
Sure the fake FG against So Carolina was brash, and I think a shot at Spurrier who made comments all week leading up to that game that it was still Saban's team.
The Auburn game was also the right call. Flynn taking so damn long to get the snap off is what made it look risky. If Flynn get's that snap with about 12 seconds left (instead of going through a full string of cadences at the line), nobody even questions that play call.

 

[Tigertracker]

See my responses in bold. I will save this for last: Leslie Miles did talk to scUM before the SEC Championship Game. That is a fact. To say he didn't is a complete lie and makes me question his values. From an ethical standpoint, Tressel by a landslide. Furthermore, Tressel doesn't make idiotic, emotion-laden statements in the press the way Leslie does.

From a coaching perspective, Miles inherited a NC caliber program, yet it took him three years to reach the pinnacle. Tressel inherited a program three years removed from national prominence and quickly turned them into a powerhouse.

X's & O's: Tressel has won the big one and is 1-0 against Leslie to date in bowl games. Head to head, he is "undefeated in regulation against Miles".

I don't suppose that you would want to share this proof that you have that Miles and Michigan are lying would you?

 

[z1311]

I'll play:

QB: Neither Flynn or Perriloux has proven themselves to be GREAT runners as you said. Tommie Frazier was great runner. Mike Vick was a great runner. Josh Cribbs was a great runner at QB. LSU's QBs are about average for the college level from what I've seen. Boeckman is probably a little below average as a runner even after marked improvement in that area over the course of the season. I think QBs are pretty even overall in this game, though if you want to say LSU has the edge I won't get up in arms over it. Flynn does have a slight advantage over Boeckman in that he has started and won a bowl game previously in his career.

RB: The very fact that you needed to call upon FIVE (5) RBs to counter Ohio State's Chris Wells says all you need to know about this one. LSU has some good backs that can do good things, but none of them are as complete as Wells. I like the Buckeyes here.

WR: I've been entertaining your method for comparing these two teams so far, but it's faulty. You compared QB to QB, RB to RB and WR to WR as if they're going to be matching up against each other. The reality is that you should be comparing the on-field matchups. In this case, it would be OSU WRs vs. LSU DBs compared to LSU WRs vs. OSU DBs. It doesn't matter if Byrd is better than any WR OSU offers up if he can't get open against the OSU secondary. My assessment is that both teams have good WRs, and both teams have outstanding players in the secondary. Byrd has played better than anyone OSU has behind Robiskie, however I think both teams will cover well and will have a tough time finding open receivers with consistency so it won't matter as much as you think it does.

OL: LSU is great at run blocking, but they give up sacks. Some analysts have started to say that Ohio State has fielded the top OL in the country this season - but they will be facing their toughest test vs. the LSU DL. I think these matchups can go either way, but I hesitate to call it a PUSH because I think it's going to play out definitively one way or the other. If Ohio State can disrupt LSU's run blocking and if Ohio State protects on offense the way they have most of the year, they'll probably win. If LSU's OL does what it's capable of doing and OSU's doesn't, LSU will win. I know that last part is pretty much cliche, but it's probably true.

DL: LSU has better interior linemen. Ohio State has better DEs, especially if Lawrence Wilson makes it back. I think OSU can hold their own in this department, but a healthy Dorsey may be the best player in the country and I won't fault anyone who gives the advantage to LSU here.

DB: Steltz is probably a better safety than anyone OSU has. OSU safeties are good in run support, but not as good in coverage. Malcolm Jenkins is perhaps the best CB in the country though, and your assessment either ignored him or dismissed him. Optimistic Buckeye fans would also say that Donald Washington is better than LSUs CBs. Both teams have very good secondaries though.

LB: You gave props to Laurinaitis, but dismissed the rest of the OSU LB corps. Marcus Freeman is very good - the light finally came on for him this year. LSU's LBs are very good as well.

ST: I actually don't have any problems with your assessment here, though I'd add that both teams have pretty decent kickers. They might be important. I think Holliday give an edge to LSU here though.

Coaching: You pretty much missed the mark on this one. Miles had plenty of time to prepare to face the Buckeyes in a bowl game back in 2004, and he got his ass handed to him, despite the fact that OSU was playing it's injured backup QB, and even had to replace him with a true freshman WR on some plays. Jim Heacock was just named the top assistant coach in the country, and Jim Tressel is the de facto offensive coordinator. I'll take Jim Tressel over Gary Crowton any day of the week. Jim Tressel is playing for a national championship for the NINTH time in his last nineteen seasons as a head coach.

Intangibles: Intangibles are usually a catch-all for people who can't speak intelligently about actual football. I'll just leave this one alone.

RB: The very fact that you needed to call upon FIVE (5) RBs to counter Ohio State's Chris Wells says all you need to know about this one. LSU has some good backs that can do good things, but none of them are as complete as Wells. I like the Buckeyes here.

My two cents.... LSU is known for a power running game. Hester just happens to be that guy who gets the 3-4 yards a carry, granted he won't break the big run but we have the other three for that. Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Trindon Holliday just complete the package. I wouldn't say the advantage goes to OSU here, I mean if we have 4 fresh backs, we can rotate them in and out on downs and pound a fresh back down your throat over and over again.

Wells is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

Unless I missed a memo somewhere, why would we use our 5 RBs to counter your 1 RB? shouldn't it be RBs up v. LBs?

 

[jwinslow]

Before the SECCG, UM outsourced to an agency, who spoke with Miles agent, who spoke with Miles. So technically speaking, he never spoke with Michigan.

Given Miles' departure from OkSU, and the untrustworthy statements often uttered during coaching searches (like a certain bball coach we like)... I'm not sure why we would give him the benefit of the doubt.

I wouldn't say the advantage goes to OSU here, I mean if we have 4 fresh backs, we can rotate them in and out on downs and pound a fresh back down your throat over and over again.

Well's is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

Well he probably can't handle 80 carries, but he has grown stronger in games the more carries he receives.

 

[jlb1705]

While intangibles are difficult to discuss intelligently since no one actually knows what's going through the team's head or how big of an affect the crowd noise will have ect. you can't discount their affect on the outcome of the game, intangibles are what allows a team like App. State to beat Michigan.

Actually, M*ch*g*n's ability to suck is very, very tangible.

That joke aside, my point about "intangibles" is that people tend to attribute things they refuse to acknowledge or can't explain to "intangibles" more often than they should. Sure, a team's attitude and concentration are important and we have no way of knowing what their state of mind is, but that doesn't mean that things that can't be explained are going to be a factor in this game (or any particular game). If you want to use the M*ch*g*n - App State game as an example, getting outcoached is not an intangible. Your senior captain allowing a potential game-winning FG to get blocked by not executing the fundamentals is not an intangible. In fact, Shawn Crable's propensity for not executing the fundamentals and making stupid mistakes is very tangible. There's all kinds of proof of it. We can quantify it.

I think intangibles are for people who want to make excuses. Some skunkbear fans may want to say it was "intangibles" that caused Crable to fold in that big moment in that upset loss - when tangible evidence from throughout his career points to that being the player he's always been. Ohio State fans are quick to point to the long layoff and the "banquet circuit" from last year as the reasons for the team losing, even after the players themselves have denied that it was the case - and it's an excuse that keeps Buckeye fans from having to own up to the fact that their favorite team got whooped by a better team with a better gameplan.

If the Buckeyes come out and beat LSU, nobody's going to be talking about the intangible effect of a long layoff, even though it's the exact same layoff as last year. People might talk about the intangible effect of the Les Miles saga or the revenge factor, when the truth is, the team that wins is going to be the one the puts on the best display preparation, talent and execution.

 

[Bill Lucas]

A small addition. LSU does have a great stable of running backs...but...how many will play significantly in a game this big. The reason I ask is that I watched a lot of LSU football this year and it seems to me that Keiland (sp?) Williams had at least one game where he couldn't handle a handoff or a pitch to save his soul. I'm thinking he's going to be one nervous back in this game and that his touches may be severely limited. Holliday doesn't scare me much because he likes to go east/west before he cuts up and Ohio State is probably the best sideline to sideline defense that LSU will face this year.

"Please note that I compared the 2 coaching records for the time Miles has been at LSU. Tressel beating Miles when he was at OK St. has no bearing at all as far as I am concerned. If Miles had been coaching OSU and Tressel would have been coaching OK. St., what do you think the outcome would have been. OSU is the big boy in your state, OK. St. has to play second fiddle to OK, much the same as Mich. St. does to Mich. We did pretty well recently with one of those Mich. St. coaches, hopefully we will do well with this one."

Please note that Oklahoma State was favored going into the game and that Les was running his mouth before the game and that this is what has created at least some of the venom you see from Ohio State posters regarding CLM.

Wells is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

39 carries against Michigan in a cold, cold rain on a terrible field and he appeared to just get stronger. Ohio State was able to run out the clock at the end and Michigan knew they were going to run the ball. I'll take Beanie carrying 40 times getting better as the game goes on over running back by committee any day but that's MHO.

That's my .02 on the matter.

 

[AKAK]

RB: The very fact that you needed to call upon FIVE (5) RBs to counter Ohio State's Chris Wells says all you need to know about this one. LSU has some good backs that can do good things, but none of them are as complete as Wells. I like the Buckeyes here.

My two cents.... LSU is known for a power running game. Hester just happens to be that guy who gets the 3-4 yards a carry, granted he won't break the big run but we have the other three for that. Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Trindon Holliday just complete the package. I wouldn't say the advantage goes to OSU here, I mean if we have 4 fresh backs, we can rotate them in and out on downs and pound a fresh back down your throat over and over again.

Wells is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

Unless I missed a memo somewhere, why would we use our 5 RBs to counter your 1 RB? shouldn't it be RBs up v. LBs?

Well, at least you acknowledge that there's only one ball...

And... I have to give LSU fans credit in one respect... this is about the most I've ever seen a fan base behind a two-headed monster at QB.

 

[sluTiger]

Before the SECCG, UM outsourced to an agency, who spoke with Miles agent, who spoke with Miles. So technically speaking, he never spoke with Michigan.

Given Miles' departure from OkSU, and the untrustworthy statements often uttered during coaching searches... I'm not sure why we would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Actually the Detroit Free Press reported that after Michigan recieved permission to speak to Miles, his agent attempted to call Michigan but they did not return his call that week. Then ESPN broke the story the morning of the championship game.

This just in...

2theadvocate.com | Breaking News | LSU Coach Les Miles' statement on his conversation with Michigan — Baton Rouge, LA


LSU Coach Les Miles' statement on his conversation with Michigan

By LSU SPORTS INFORMATION PRESS RELEASE

Published: Dec 11, 2007 - UPDATED: 2:40 p.m.

LSU football coach Les Miles issued the following statement on Tuesday regarding the conversation he had with Michigan last week:
?I had a conversation with Michigan last week that covered a wide range of topics. I was doing nothing more than helping them with their search for a football coach, just as any loyal alumnus might do. It was nothing more than that.

?I?m not a candidate for that job and I will not be a candidate for the job. I was only assisting them in their search for a coach. I have a great job at a wonderful place, a place that my family calls home. It?s time that Michigan goes on with their search for a football coach. I?ll say it again, I?m going to be the coach at LSU next season.?

 

[BayBuck]

Wells is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

Maybe eventually, but most football games are only 60 minutes long.

 

[Nutriaitch]

And... I have to give LSU fans credit in one respect... this is about the most I've ever seen a fan base behind a two-headed monster at QB.

I normally don't like the 2 QB system. I think it can take away from the fluidity (is that even a word?) of the offense. The ONLY reason I like RP getting playing time is this. Flynn is gone next year. He took a little time to adjust this year, because of the lack of "meaningful snaps" he's had before this year. Yeah he played in the Peach Bowl, but all of last year, he played only in garbage time. RP getting in in real game situations against 1st string defenses (getting 2 starts) are going to be huge in his development.

 

[jlb1705]

My two cents.... LSU is known for a power running game. Hester just happens to be that guy who gets the 3-4 yards a carry, granted he won't break the big run but we have the other three for that. Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Trindon Holliday just complete the package. I wouldn't say the advantage goes to OSU here, I mean if we have 4 fresh backs, we can rotate them in and out on downs and pound a fresh back down your throat over and over again.

Wells is human right? the man has to get tired sometime?

You're right. Ohio State can rotate backs as well, though Tressel showed against M*ch*g*n that he also won't hesitate to get C. Wells upwards of 40 carries in a game, and I'm confident that Tressel has put him in a situation where he'll have the stamina to carry that kind of load in the bowl game. If you want to assume though that both teams are going to rotate RBs, I do like LSU's depth a little better. If Miles does it right, he can really put Ohio State on their heels with his rotation. If he doesn't do it right however, the playcalling can become very predictable, and it may not matter how fresh the RBs are if the defense knows what's coming. In watching LSU several times this year, there were a few instances where I know what LSU was going to do just by what back was in the game and the formation. If I can figure that out, you can bet that Jim Heacock and his players figured it you yesterday. One of the advantages of having a single complete, superior back over a handful of specialized backs is that you don't necessarily tip your hand the way that LSU has a few times this year. That kind of stuff may work against teams like Alabama and Arkansas, but I doubt it will against the Buckeyes.

Unless I missed a memo somewhere, why would we use our 5 RBs to counter your 1 RB? shouldn't it be RBs up v. LBs?

Of course. I said something to this effect when talking about the WR matchup. My point was that five good RBs doesn't necessarily add up to what one great back can do. However, the offensive vs. defensive matchups are more important to consider than that.