Game Thread FIESTA BOWL: tOSU 21, Texas 24 (01-05-09)

[morbitzerker]

Take away Boeckman's -27 yards due to sacks, and we had a decent 22 carries for 91 yards (4.1 ypc) against USC's rush defense which finished ranked 5th in rushing defense at 83.3 ypg...and that was without Beanie. Penn State did hold us to 61 yards on 31 carries, but that was because PSU decided the stack the line and challenged us to throw the entire game (and our OL decided to take night off for most of the plays). Pryor has improved to the point where if Texas tries to pull the same crap PSU did, the Horns will get burned by the pass. If the OL decides to execute, I can see use putting up 150-200 yards rushing in the game, between Beanie, Boom, and Pryor.

No doubt at all the talent is in tOSU's backfield to get some yards on the ground. I was going to look at the USC game, but that was without Beanie, and I was focusing more on that, but you are right, the O was able to get some running yards against them.

I don't feel it's an issue of Beanie, or Pryor, or even Boom being able to make plays, it's just the OL that has fluctuated so much this season that has me skeptical in this match-up.

I agree wholeheartedly that TP has progressed much more as a passer than he was against PSU. I thought he threw the ball well against PSU when they stacked the line and most passes were in 3rd and long situations, which was impressive. I think his passing and ability to pass is crucial in relieving some of the pressure UTex is going to bring to stop the run, and I hope TP can progress through his reads more, and I think he will.

The team also needs the OL to show up, unlike the PSU game like you mentioned.

 

[fourteenandoh]

I haven't watched any of Texas' games this year. How good is their D? In particular, their D-Line? Our O-Line has played pretty poorly at times, a lot of times, this year and honestly I think they are going to have to come together this next month and really play the game of their lives Jan 5th.

Orakpo is a beast. Think Big Vern in burnt orange.

What is everybody's opinion on the big layoff between the scUM game and the bowl game? Will it be good since it gives Pryor more time learn the offense better and maybe even implement some new material or will the layoff just make the team rusty? Other reasons???

I hate it with a passion.

Would someone mind posting a little synopsis of the Buckeye offense this year? I didn't watch any of your games this year other than the one against USC and a tiny bit against MSU, so I have no idea what the Pryor offense looks like.

the guys will do their big write up when the game gets closer. IMO, they write the best preview on the web.

Thanks for the info, jw. I do remember seeing the pistol formation and plenty of shotgun.

for some reason the pistol has been MIA for awhile. i'd like to see us bring it back. anyone know why we've abandoned it?

 

[schwab]

Against the I, Henry Melton will play strong side DE

Ah yes, the running back..

 

[fourteenandoh]

Ah yes, the running back..

he's gotta be up to 300lbs by now

 

[Nicknam4]

Wow.

I'm extremely excited for a rubber match, but pray to god we win it. I really hope we do.

Texas is my second favorite college team, and I'm excited to play them again.

OH!

 

[schwab]

he's gotta be up to 300lbs by now

Looks like the position switch came after the 2005 season. He had 2 carries for 2 yards in the 'Shoe, and didn't make the box score in 2006.

 

[Buckeneye]

Great, another team where their QB is the leading rusher.... :(



Should be a good game. I think we have some fine matchups.
Just so long as we don't sit in a cover 3 all night and the Oline decides to finally play like they should.



:osu:

 

[EngineerHorn]

About midway through 2006 it was evident the running back experiment was a failure. The switch officially happened last year, but he was buried on the depth chart due to the depth at DE. He had an awesome spring (guess he found his natural position) and was named the starter despite some very good depth that includes Eddie Jones. I wish he had one more year because he's still learning the position, but he's done very well. I figured after the switch was made we'd never hear from him again, so I'm happy for him. I think some pro team will give him a shot.

 

[buckiprof]

66 on Coastal Carolina
45 on Oregon St
55 on Syracuse
45 on Temple

211 points in 4 games against teams we would be strung up for playing. That's 47% of their points. Another 19% came from Wisconsin and Michigan.

Explosive against crap maybe.

You know, considering who State Penn's coach is, that last sentence has several meanings.

With that crap out of the way, welcome back to our Longhorn fans.

Orakpo vs Boone is a very worrisome matchup for OSU, as well as whoever the Texas DE is against Browning.

As with damn near every game, the outcome depends on the trenches. Right now, I have to feel that the Texas D-line has an advantage over the OSU O-line.

On the other side of the ball, the big question will be how the OSU D-line does. Yes, OSU has an above average secondary, but if McCoy has time...no meaningful pressure...that could spell a long day for the OSU D.

Bottom line, it is all about the lines. If OSU's offensive line can manage a stalemate with the Texas defensive line, that will be good enough for the OSU playmakers to have some success. If the OSU defensive line can manage some pressure on McCoy, make him uncomfortable, then the back 7 on defense can have some success.

One of the oldest adages in football, whoever controls the line of scrimmage controls the game, applies majorly to this game.

 

[billmac91]

How have Texas' DT's held up this year?

Beanie between the trenches, as always, will be the key to our offense. I wouldn't be sad to hear they are undersized and a weakness.....

 

[schwab]

About midway through 2006 it was evident the running back experiment was a failure. The switch officially happened last year, but he was buried on the depth chart due to the depth at DE. He had an awesome spring (guess he found his natural position) and was named the starter despite some very good depth that includes Eddie Jones. I wish he had one more year because he's still learning the position, but he's done very well. I figured after the switch was made we'd never hear from him again, so I'm happy for him. I think some pro team will give him a shot.

Simply knowing his size, and then figuring in that he once played at the RB position in any capacity, speaks volumes to the kids athleticism. His inexperience on the DL may actually become a plus for him, with so much emphasis placed on potential in the NFL. The feeling of untapped potential may apply here. I hope he does not use Jan. 5th as a 'coming-out' party. If Orakpo is lined up on 75, then that means BB gets to deal with Melton and crew. It would be a great time for our tackles to play, um, other-worldly.

 

[fourteenandoh]

I'm showing the line from multiple sources as Bucks -10

 

[generaladm]

I'm showing the line from multiple sources as Bucks -10

Um, shouldn't that be Bucks +10 (OSU underdogs)?

 

[EngineerHorn]

How have Texas' DT's held up this year?

Beanie between the trenches, as always, will be the key to our offense. I wouldn't be sad to hear they are undersized and a weakness.....

Mentioned it in a post above, but I was responding to another question so you probably missed it.

Roy Miller is first team all Big 12 and a first day draft pick, a little smaller than the guys we've had in the past but still plenty large at 6-2 300. The other DT position is filled by two former DE's who split time- Aaron Lewis and Lamarr Houston. Both a little on the small side- Houston is 6-2 280 and Lewis is 6-4 270. I have no reason to believe they're going to get pushed around, but we haven't faced a power running offense this year, so your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Bestbuck36]

The early line on the BCS championship game is Florida -3 O/U 72.

I'd say that leads us to somewhere in the Texas -10.5 O/U 55 range. I know people would make Texas a 2 TD favorite but Vegas still remembers one of thier biggest losing days in history with the Bucks/Miami also in the Fiesta Bowl 2002. If it goes to 11 or higher I'm taking out a loan.