Game Thread Game Two: Texas 25, Ohio State 22 (final)

[HabaneroBuck]

I said it earlier in the thread, and I'll reiterate it for Xray and everyone else. You cannot accurately predict what is going to happen in a given season based solely on what happened the previous season. I appreciate Mili sticking up for the Bucks based on 2002 (and 2003's team had a hellacious D, too), but that has nothing to do with this year's game. NEITHER DOES THE ABILITY OF VINCE YOUNG LAST YEAR WITH TEAMS KEYING ON CEDRIC BENSON. Neither does the putrid offensive performance by the Bucks last year against NC State. Neither does the loss to Northwestern. Neither does Texas barely beating Kansas (Kansas!). And if Gabe Watson gets his big mitts on that Dusty kick last year, how confident are you Texans?

It's pre-season, so let's remember: There are disappointments and there are surprises. Did anyone predict before 1995 that Terry Glenn would catch 17 TD's? Or that Eddie would get the Heisman? Did you Texans expect to lose to Oklahoma by over 50 points, not once but TWICE? With wonder-boy Simms at QB?

On the one hand, a man argues stats over and over again. On the other hand, he says don't expect Vince to throw 2 Interceptions in any game this year. What? You can't have it both ways. Either Vince Young is a shoo-in for the Heisman (Texas' view), or he threw at a 12-12 TD to Int. ratio last year with only 1800 yards passing. Which QB is he? Superman or The Next Great Heisman Flop? Guess what, against Ohio State, he could be either one. It's perfectly fine to come onto our site and stand up for your man and your team, but leave the burnt-puke colored glasses at home.

Fact: Ohio State was 8-4 last year, so that should give Texans' hope that the Bucks are a meager opponent.

Fact: In Columbus, 8-4 is a disappointing record and the entire team, fanbase, coaching staff, athletic department, and nation expects Ohio State to be greatly improved from what you saw a lot of last year.

 

[Dryden]

As to BB73's point about Vince's INTs, I feel that it is not likely that he will have as many INTs this year. Half or the ones last year were due to bad route running by the WRs, and that should be fixed this year. He is also a lot more comfortable in the pocket. In coachspeak "the game has slowed down for him", so expect him to make better decisions in the passing game. These are along the lines of improvements you would expect for many college quarterbacks between their sophomore and junior year.

Yes. Improvements along the lines you would see for quarterbacks who aren't coached by Greg Davis and Mack Brown.

YEAR	NAME		G	C-ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	RATING
1998	M. Applewhite	11	159-273	58.2	2453	18	11	147.42
1999	M. Applewhite	13	271-467	58.0	3357	21	9	129.40
2000	M. Applewhite	9	152-279	54.5	2164	18	7	135.91
2001	M. Applewhite	10	29-46	63.0	379	3	1	149.43

1999	C. Simms	6	19-36	52.8	223	2	1	117.59
2000	C. Simms	10	67-117	57.3	1064	8	7	144.25
2001	C. Simms	12	214-362	59.1	2603	22	11	133.50
2002	C. Simms	13	235-396	59.3	3207	26	12	143.00

2003	C. Mock		13	100-183	54.6	1469	16	2	148.74
2004	C. Mock		6	9-21	42.9	79	0	0	74.46

2003	V. Young	12	84-143	58.7	1155	6	7	130.64
2004	V. Young	12	148-250	59.2	1849	12	11	128.37

In the past seven seasons (precisely as long as Greg Davis has been on staff), Texas has had two QBs who had substantial enough game experience to track meaningful progress from their sophomore to junior seasons: Applewhite and Simms.

Major Applewhite was about even, his 58% completion percentage and 2.3:1 TD:INT ratio good for a 129.4 efficiency rating as a soph staying roughly the same as he went to a 54.5% with a 2.5:1 TD:INT and 135.9 rating as a junior.

Chris Simms showed marked improvement in his TD:INT ratio, 1:1 to 2:1, but he still failed to break 60% on completions and his efficiency dropped from 144.2 to 133.5.

There are two things about these stats that are remarkable to me (I've thrown out spot QB duty and gadget plays that result in RBs or WRs having passing statistics):

1. It is probably a result of Greg Davis's schemes rather than a reflection of any specific QBs abilities, but Texas QBs are good for at least 10 INTs a year. If this trend were to continue, then it's impossible to assume Young will throw fewer INTs in 2005 than he did in 2004. Approximately 1 out of every 12 passes Young throws that is catchable is caught by the bad guys, and this is confirmed by both his freshman and sophomore numbers.

2. Only once (Major Applewhite, 2001 on only 46 attempts) has a Texas QB under Greg Davis completed more than 60% of their passes. A common statement I read is that VY has the best completion percentage of any QB in Texas history when comparing such-and-such seasons. Well, I think VY's 59% is more reflective of how average Texas QBs have been, rather than what a spectacular passer VY is. In any given college season, more than 1/3-rd of Div-1A team will have a QB with ~60% or higher.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

...I appreciate Mili sticking up for the Bucks based on 2002 (and 2003's team had a hellacious D, too), but that has nothing to do with this year's game...

I wasn't necessarily using the 2002 defense to justify what our defense will do this year, but rather the we've played Heisman candidate QBs very tough in our house. There are also similarities between our 2002 and 2005 defenses in that both came off medicore years, and since the 2002 defense became so dominant because it had a lot of returning veterans the 2005 defense could very well do the same. Regardless, the fact that we've been so dominant in home night games gives me supreme confidence that on Sep 10th they wil rise to the occasion still again and shut down yet another Heisman hopeful QB.

 

[2002UNC]

Name the Texas WR that will be better than any we seen last season?

Name the Texas RB better than any we have seen last season?

Name the Texas OL that is better at their respective position than any we seen last season?

VY may have better feet than any QB we seen last season but his arm is not the best.

What Mili is trying to say is that the awsome Texas "speed" will not overwhelm us plow boys from Ohio. We have faced WR corps much better than Texas and RB much better than what they have this year. Michigan produces just as good if not better OL than any school in the country. If Texas fans think for one second we are gonna be scared in out house Sept 10th they need to wake up.

 

[hookemhorns2004]

After studying this game even more, here are my latest thoughts...


Troy Smith took over QB in the Indiana game (7th game of the season) @ home and led them to a victory over the 3-8 Hoosiers. Big deal.

Next game vs 4-7 PSU Lions @ home they win 21-10. Thanks to 1 punt return TD by Ginn, an INT return by the defense, and the only other TD was set up by a 65 yard KO return. Smith was not the reason why OSU won this game...hell he only completed 6 passes for 59 yards. The running game was horrible as well avg 3.3 ypc. The special teams bailed them out. PSU had more first downs and more yards then OSU. Still a loss is a loss. But were not talking about the 1986 Nittany Lions here.

Next game vs MSU on the road that happened to finish at 5-7 on the year. Third game in a row OSU beats a team with a losing record. You guys do know that despite the 32-19 final score, that OSU was losing this game 17-19 with 1:37 left in the game? Ted Ginn scored on a 58-yard pass to take the lead. AJ Hawk INT sealed the deal, and with 25 seconds left Hall scored on a meaningless 51 yard run with 20 seconds left.

In that game the best kicker probably this decade Nugent hit a 53 yarder, and Ginn scored on another punt return for a TD. MSU almost doubled OSU in first downs, and had 400 yards on offense (100 more then OSU). And this is with their 2nd team QB as Stanton was out. Not so sure how convinced I am after that game. Smith had a decent game but Ginn was the showstopper.

They lost to Purdue on the road the following game (who happen to have won 7 games). And I guess what everyone seems to forget about this loss is Kyle Orton only played in the 4th quarter because of a hip injury. Troy Smith looked awful in throwing 3 INTs and fumble turnover in the game.

Now is where the pre-season hype for this year begins.

OSU at home vs Michigan. Troy Smith has the game of his life vs the Michigan defense. Ginn has his 4th punt return TD of the season, plus 5 receptions. OSU scores the most points ever since 1968.

But, if you think Smith looked like superman vs the Michigan D, how did Young look?

None the less it was a great win vs a great team that did almost beat Texas in the Rose. Factor in Texas giving UM an avg starting field position of the 42-yard line and you may no why Michigan put up a ton of points.

Now we move to Okie St. in the Alamo Bowl. OSU looked dominating and I was quite surprised at the ease tOSU beat OSU 33-7. Trouble here was all the shit that came out days later.

#1 Les Miles had already agreed and accepted the LSU coaching job 5 days earlier on XMAS day. Les left the OSU program for greener pastures but also was having huge issues with administration and his OC Mike Gundy (now the OSU head man). Gundy kept running to the administration telling on Miles that he was letting his players get out of control.

#2 It was said that Gundy and Miles hardly spoke and almost damn near hated each other toward the end of the season. Gundy though is the OSU hero in terms of Alumni and admin and holds majority of the OSU passing records. Gundy has since kicked off a ton of Miles players since taking over.

Do we all know and remember how that game started off? Those who were cheering for OSU were you wondering why the hell the Cowboys came out on successive drives throwing the ball? For a team that was one of the best running teams in the country? Including one that got picked. Two early turnovers sealed the deal quick.

Go look at the gamestats if you didn’t think something was in the air in Stillwater. Vernand Morency one of the leading rushers in the country only has 8 attempts rushing all game long? Woods throws for double the amount of passes in this game then he did in 9 of his 11 other games. Woods threw 10 more passes then any other game all season. OSU IS NOT A PASSING TEAM.

#3 We are talking about a team that loss 4 of its last 6 games, and seem pretty much done after Texas put that second half ass whooping of a lifetime on them.

Are we also forgetting that Zwick was the QB in this game not Smith? What does that mean for you tOSU fans? You’re betting on a QB in Smith who will be playing his first game since November of last year. Smith missed the Alamo Bowl and he’ll be missing OSU’s first game of the year vs Miami Ohio. BOL.

You’re also banking on a QB who realistically has only had three good games. Two losing teams in Indiana, MSU, and the only game everybody remembers Michigan. BOL.

The RB situation is even more of a mess. So. Antonio Pittman is the likely starter (400 yards last year). Many are saying RFR Erik Haw has all the makings to be a star, but he’s never even ran the ball in college and his status is up in the air since he got busted with pot just a little bit ago. They are bringing in a super recruit in Maurice Wells, but please…were talking Sept. 10th here not Nov. 10. After losing Ross and Hall the running game may be even worse in the early going. BOL.

They return everybody on the OL, which is supposed to be pretty good. Phil Steele rates the unit 17th while sporting news doesn’t have them in the top 10. Tressel ball is about pounding it out with the run, but this unit paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked 71st in the country, and a passing attack that ranked 97th. Overall the Buckeye offense ranked 98th in the country last year. But I know, I know Buckeye fans…look at the last two games of the year….I know, I know. tOSU won a lot of games through the brilliant special teams of Ginn’s punt returns and mister auotomatic K Mike Nugent (bye-bye). BOL.

Yes your WR corp is salty, but I don’t hype them as much as some have. Holmes is a stud. I’m even hearing about the Buckeyes brag about some Gonzalez kid. 8 catches last year?

Ginn is magnificent with the ball in his hands. But he really hasn’t gotten the WR position down just yet to give him all this hype. He has 25 catches for 2 TDs and he’s now Jerry Rice? Half those catches coming in two games? Were was he vs Purdue? Penn St.? This guy was a QB in HS and was implemented as the starting WR I think until midway in the season.

Ginn makes his mark in the punt return game. He may be the most dynamic punt returner in awhile. No question. Does Mack even kick the ball to this guy? Also Texas has ALWAYS had exceptional punt coverage teams (I said punt). Add to the fact that the new gunner on punt returns is the All-American and track star Michael Huff…well let’s just see. I can’t even remember the last time someone has even had a long return via the punt vs the Horns. Including NCAA record setting OU’s Antonio Perkins. This isn’t Indiana, PSU, or MSU that Ginn is returning kicks on. Texas has bigger and faster athletes then those squads. So we shall see. I still would rather Mack kick the damn ball out of bounds because Ginn is scary.

There was a reason why tOSU was ranked 98th in the country in offense, and I’m sorry having two good games to end the year doesn’t make you the next MNC IMO.

They will be facing a Texas defense that was ranked 24th overall, and 18th in points allowed. Texas like tOSU also loses a DC for the second year in a row…but unlike hiring a position coach within they actually upgraded to last year’s Frank Broyles Asst. Coach of the Year in Auburn’s Gene Chizik.

All Chizik did at Auburn, mind you playing in the SEC toughest conference in football, was have the #5 ranked defense overall, 1st in points allowed at 11.3, 9th against the pass, and 13th vs the run.

You want your Lee Corso Woooh stat of the day. Chizik’s defense only allowed one rushing TD all year long. Chizik plays more man-to-man, blitz more often and utilizes speed over size. One of the starting OLB’s this upcoming season was one of the top rated safety’s in america in HS, the hard hitting So. Drew Kelson will now be playing OLB in Chizik’s scheme. Chizik has already stated that he has more talent on defense here at Texas then he did at Auburn. Chizik also has full control over the defense (No involvement from Mack).

The poor rushing attack of OSU must face the best DT tandem in the country in All-American Rod Wright, All-Big 12 Larry Dibbles, and the youngster who was the #1 DT out of HS and freshman All-American last year Frank Okam. Most games are won in the trenches and I think we know who will win this battle

Sporting News ranks the DL 2nd best in the country.
Phil Steele ranks the DL 2nd as well.

The LB corp as Phil Steele’s 2nd team All-American in Aaron Harris in the middle, and Eric Hall last year’s starter on the outside returning. The loss of DJ of course is big.

Lots of names still floating around who the final three will be outside of Harris. Chizik plays a different scheme at LB then Robinson did. Eric Foreman who started as a true frosh on OLB before missing last season trying to play offense returns. Robert Killebrew the super recruit has been waiting in the wings and shown some signs of life. Rashad Bobino many feel is the 2nd best LB on the team but his size makes him more of a fit in the middle, then there’s the wildcard Drew Kelson…I’ve been waiting for this move and I think the kid is gonna be a star in Chiziks scheme. Still the LB’s are the weakness of the Horns and as such..

Sporting News doesn’t have them ranked in the top 10.
Steele has them 25th.

The secondary is rock solid top to bottom with a ton of depth. Michael Huff (fastest Longhorn on the team) the All-American FS has been cross training at CB for two years now, and has seen a ton of more CB duty this spring. Makes me believe come the tOSU game he will be matched one on one with Ginn. Huff did this one time last year and he shut down OU’s Mark Clayton completely. This secondary is one of the best in the country with size and speed across the board.

Steele ranks the DBs 5th best in the country
Sporting News ranks the DBs #1

I hear all this talk about the OSU defense and what they can do, but the biggest mismatch in this game is going to be the tOSU offense vs the Texas defense.

Now were on to the vaunted tOSU defense ranked 30th overall last season. Very, very good defense.
9 players return on defense. Did I mention they lost their DC to a head coaching spot for the second year in a row? And he was replaced by a position coach who has been coaching the DL for the last 10 years?

Sporting News ranks the DL, 5th overall
Steele ranks them 12th

Sporting News ranks the LBs 1st
Steele ranks them 2nd

Sporting News ranks the DBs 2nd
Steele ranks the DBs 7th

I can’t complain to much about the defense they are stout, and most of Tressels defenses are stout. One game that you guys just might want to dust off and watch from last year is the gametape of the Northwestern/OSU game. The Cats are probably the only team OSU faced last year that runs kinda of the same plays as Texas. Most importantly Texas’ bread and butter play the zone read. The Cats don’t run it as much but they did have tremendous success on it with the over pursuing tOSU defense. The Cats beat tOSU by rolling up 444 yards and 33 points. Very early in the year I’ll admit but Noah Herron and Bret Basenez had a damn good day. Noone runs this play in college football better then Texas.

I keep hearing all this talk about the Texas offense and what are they going to do vs the OSU defense. Are we forgetting that the Texas offense ranked 7th best in the country last year? Everybody wants to talk about the passing game but we are forgetting that Texas avgs 300 yards rushing per game, 2nd best rushing attack in the country.

The thing is OSU fans love to bring up the change in the last two games of the season, well I’d like to bring up a midseason story for you…

First off in the off-season Vince Young has hernia surgery somewhat limiting his mobility in the early part of the season. Also VY taught at Steve McNair’s (VY’s godfather) camp over the summer and McNair battling constant injury told VY that to have a long career in the NFL, he needs to stay in the pocket more and not take as many hits. Love ya Steve, but keep to what you know best. Somehow though OC Greg Davis pulled a Mizzu’s Gary Pinkel and thought that making Young a pocket passer would be a great idea (hence why all Longhorn fans wished Davis to burn in hell).

Let’s look at the first 6 games of the season for Texas…

North Texas, @Arkansas, Rice, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Mizzu.

VY goes 73-137 for 53% Completion Percentage, 892 passing yards, and 8 TD passes to 5 INTs.

VY Rushing goes for 331 yards on 56 attempts (5.9 YPC), he had 1 rushing TD.

The offense avg 32.3 PPG, but this schedule was fairly easy with only 3 real tough games. In the games vs Arkie, OU, and Mizzu the horns avg 14 PPG. 4 home games, 1 road, 1 neutral.

This is through the first half of the season. Game 5 was the shut-out at OU, and game 6 is when the water started boiling for Mack and the offensive staff. After struggling in game 6 vs Mizzu, rumors have swirled their was a meeting between the AD and Mack on letting Davis go. Mack told the AD if Davis goes…he goes. Rumors for sure but maybe not. Mack was quoted all the next week in leading up to game 7 in Lubbock vs Texas Tech that he will start having a bigger involvement in the offense. Also Greg Davis made a highlight tape for VY to watch showing him his clips from his HS days and first season as UT QB. Davis also asked VY for his favorite 20 plays and he would incorporate them more in the offense.

Low and behold in the sandstorms of Lubbock, TX the Texas offense was born. The best play calling I’ve ever seen from Davis. The Longhorns for the first time EVER in VY career ran the option, waggles, bootlegs, QB sprints to the outside, basically everything you would incorporate in an offense when you have a 6’6 220 lb. QB that runs a 4.4 forty. The Texas offense took off

The Final 6 games were…

@Texas Tech, @Colorado, Okie St., @Kansas, A&M, Michigan.

5 of the above 6 teams played in a bowl game.

VY goes for 86-138 for a 62% Completion Percentage, he had 1091 passing yards, 4 passing TDs and 6 INTs.

VY on the ground rushes for 778 yards (130 yards per game) on 111 attempts (7.0 YPC). He scored 13 rushing TDs in those 6 games.

17 total TDs for VY in 6 games. The offense avg 38.2 PPG. In other words VY run the damn ball because outside of Ginn and Bush you may be the most dangerous player with the ball in your hands. The success of the run also helped complete more passes for more yards since teams were going all out to stop his running game.

Do you now understand why the Longhorn Nation is so giddy? Those who don’t follow Texas closely probably will look back and say…well OU shut them down, Mizzu shut them down, Arkie almost beat them. The proof is in the numbers, that this is a totally different offense then the one you saw the opening half of the season.

The Horns have a question mark at RB coming into the season as well. Texas has always been a football factory at RB with 10 straight seasons of someone gaining a 1,000 yards. The last couple Cedric Benson, Ricky Williams, and Preist Holmes haven’t been too shabby. Selvin Young has been in the program for 4 years now and I rememeber three years ago in spring ball everyone was proclaiming him to be the better of Benson but he could just never shake the injury bug. Young will be fine and despite not playing much the last two years there is a reason Steele rated him the 40th best RB and no OSU players at all in his rankings.

Running behind an OL, that every single publication ranks the best will make things easier. Both outside T are rated in the top 10 with Scott arguably being one of the best in the country. Everyone returns from last years unit that paved the way for 300 YPG.

I see most are knocking the Horns WRs and well they should. Three of the top 4 starting WRs last year were freshman. They were gonna take their lumps playing behind the Big 3. Three of the top 4 WR return along with the best receiver on the team TE David Thomas. Since tOSU fans can claim Gonzalez, I guess I can make a case for the return of Quan Cosby and more importantly the return from injured Jordan Shipley. Scroll down the list of Steele’s top WRs and notice the first FR that appears on the list at 30 overall. Shipley. He holds every single Texas HS receiving record, and was tearing it up in the spring before the injury. Shipley and Sweed will start at WR. Not the greatest combo threat in the world, but they are an upgrade from last year. OSU will stop the pass, will they stop the run and playmaking of VY?

So with tOSU have a very suspect offense without a lot of experience at the most important positions QB & RB, a stout defense with the best LBs, great return game, great big game coach and two brand new kickers.

At Texas you have a Heisman Caliber QB who will be 18-2 as a starter going into the game, suspect RB, great OL, and a defense that seems to be getting overshadowed by OSU for some reason but on paper as far as talent, statistically, and the coordinator are better.

I will not only be at the game, I will be taking Texas + the points after the CFB betting nation jumps on tOSU.

 

[Buckeye86]

I didn't really feel like reading that extremely long post right there, but I did get a good laugh out of your signature. Ricky Williams? I'll stick with Ohio for all levels of football. If I wanted to find out the best place to buy pot and smoke it then maybe I would listen to what Ricky Williams has to say.

 

[Dryden]

Next game vs 4-7 PSU Lions @ home they win 21-10. Thanks to 1 punt return TD by Ginn, an INT return by the defense, and the only other TD was set up by a 65 yard KO return. Smith was not the reason why OSU won this game...hell he only completed 6 passes for 59 yards. The running game was horrible as well avg 3.3 ypc. The special teams bailed them out. PSU had more first downs and more yards then OSU. Still a loss is a loss. But were not talking about the 1986 Nittany Lions here.

Yes, Smith completed 6 passes -- on a grand total of 8 attempts. Did you watch Penn State at all last year? Are you aware that this game was played in a 30mph crosswind? When PSU spots you 14 points in 12 minutes, you sit on the ball. Once OSU was up 14-0 with 3 minutes to go in the 1st, there was no way in hell PSU was going to come back and win unless Troy starts chucking the ball all over the field in those wind conditions, resulting in inevitable INTs. Their offense made the Buckeyes look like a juggernaut by comparison.

Do you now understand why the Longhorn Nation is so giddy? Those who don’t follow Texas closely probably will look back and say…well OU shut them down, Mizzu shut them down, Arkie almost beat them. The proof is in the numbers, that this is a totally different offense then the one you saw the opening half of the season.

Touche.

Other than those two points, excellent post (not that I agree with all of it, but you've argued your case nonetheless ).

 

[2002UNC]

I laugh my ass off everytime Texas fans brings up our team from last year. In the Purdue game we were without 3 startign DB's against a spread offense on the road!!! We should have won that game but we rested our guys so they would be ready for Michigan. Alot of Texas fans don't realize this.

We had 2 common opponents and OSU beat those teams much worse than Texas did. Some say it doesn't matter but I say it does because its a gauge of how the Buckeyes were playing late in the year. We were a top 10 team at the end of last season. We return 18 starters 9 on offense and 9 on defense.

I looked at Texas schedule last year and laughed my ass off again. The 3 teams they played that had a good squad were TT, Michigan, and Okie. Your schedule was pathetic Texas fans. Arkansas, Okie St., Missour, and Kansas gave you guys scares last year. Give me a flippin break the B12 is overated.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

...Factor in Texas giving UM an avg starting field position of the 42-yard line and you may no why Michigan put up a ton of points.

So, how we should view your pathetic special teams...as irrelevent or as a excuse? Like it or not, kick coverage is part of the game. Also, Michigan did have two scoring drives starting from inside their 25, so it's not like they couldnt move the ball without your special teams failures. We can also argue that the reason why Young was able to run wild on Michigan was that Michigan was so keyed on stuffing your RBs (which they did...your RBs went 25 carries for 72 yards, 2.9 ypc) that they neglected to cover Young's scrambles. That won't happen on Sep 10th.

At Texas you have a Heisman Caliber QB who will be 18-2 as a starter going into the game, suspect RB, great OL, and a defense that seems to be getting overshadowed by OSU for some reason but on paper as far as talent, statistically, and the coordinator are better.

Yeah, and in the 2003 NC game we went against a team with a Heisman caliber QB who was 38-1 as a starter, a much better RB, an even better OL, and we held them to 14 offensive points in regulation (I don't count their last-second FG, because they got the ball on our 28 or so after a long punt return and didn't move the ball at all before the FG). Also, your defense may appear statistically, and your DC will be more experienced than ours, no way does your defense have more talent personnel-wise.


I've come to realize that Texas fans analyze the shit out of our last year's schedule solely to convince themselves they should win against us. The more I read their spins, the more I like our chances.

 

['68Flask]

Numbers, numbers....I agree, both teams records are open to inerpretation, yet you can't call this year by last year.

Ohio State has an edge due to linebacking on defense, and the outstanding advantage of being home under the lights with OUR fans down your throat all night long.

It will wear you thin. This is all we need in a very even matchup.

Forget the schmes, numbers, dreamin and such. The 'shoe will be rockin and some helmets will be a knockin.

All of the angles have been covered it seems, Smith runs wild, Young runs wild. D-Lines vs O-Lines. Inexperienced RB's vs Inexperienced RB's. Blah, blah.

The intangibles will matter that night. :osu:

 

[xrayrandy]

"no way does your defense have more talent personnel-wise."

Let me show you.

DT
UT has two projected 1st rounders and 1 projected 2nd rounder.
OSU has one projected 2 rounder and a couple being looked at as maybe being second day picks.

DE
UT has one projected 2-3 rounder and one 4-5 rounder
tOSU none projected as draft material in the next two drafts

MLB
UT has one projected late first day pick
tOSU has one projected late first day pick

OLB
UT has none projected yet
tOSU has a projected 1st rounder and a 2-3rd rounder.

DB
UT has 1 first rounder, 2 2-3rd rounder and one fourth and couple backups are also project 2-5th round.
tOSU has one 2-3 rounder and 2 early 2nd day picks.

UT has better talent at DT, DE, DB. MLB is a tie as far as starters go. Your only significant talent advantage based on current projections is at OLB. UT has 3 projected first rounders to your 1, and 5 to 4 for other projected first day picks.

There is a heck of a lot of talent on both defenses.

 

[LightningRod]

"no way does your defense have more talent personnel-wise."

Let me show you.

DT
UT has two projected 1st rounders and 1 projected 2nd rounder.
OSU has one projected 2 rounder and a couple being looked at as maybe being second day picks.

DE
UT has one projected 2-3 rounder and one 4-5 rounder
tOSU none projected as draft material in the next two drafts

MLB
UT has one projected late first day pick
tOSU has one projected late first day pick

OLB
UT has none projected yet
tOSU has a projected 1st rounder and a 2-3rd rounder.

DB
UT has 1 first rounder, 2 2-3rd rounder and one fourth and couple backups are also project 2-5th round.
tOSU has one 2-3 rounder and 2 early 2nd day picks.

UT has better talent at DT, DE, DB. MLB is a tie as far as starters go. Your only significant talent advantage based on current projections is at OLB. UT has 3 projected first rounders to your 1, and 5 to 4 for other projected first day picks.

There is a heck of a lot of talent on both defenses.

Reads like Miami prior to the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

 

[casey_buckeye]

Mel Kiper Jr, is that you?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

"no way does your defense have more talent personnel-wise."

Let me show you.

DT
UT has two projected 1st rounders and 1 projected 2nd rounder.
OSU has one projected 2 rounder and a couple being looked at as maybe being second day picks.

DE
UT has one projected 2-3 rounder and one 4-5 rounder
tOSU none projected as draft material in the next two drafts

MLB
UT has one projected late first day pick
tOSU has one projected late first day pick

OLB
UT has none projected yet
tOSU has a projected 1st rounder and a 2-3rd rounder.

DB
UT has 1 first rounder, 2 2-3rd rounder and one fourth and couple backups are also project 2-5th round.
tOSU has one 2-3 rounder and 2 early 2nd day picks.

UT has better talent at DT, DE, DB. MLB is a tie as far as starters go. Your only significant talent advantage based on current projections is at OLB. UT has 3 projected first rounders to your 1, and 5 to 4 for other projected first day picks.

There is a heck of a lot of talent on both defenses.

Dude, you are so gullible it's ridiculous. Draft projections are just that...projections. Do you even watch football? Or do you crawl out of your laboratory and simply look up stats and draft projections to proclaim which team is best?

 

[Buckeye86]

Guys, c'mon now, everyone knows that draft projections a year in advance are always 100% accurate. In addition to that, everyone also knows that every single person drafted in the first round is a better player and will have a more successful career than all those poor saps drafted in the second round and so on down the line. It's common knowledge.