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

[Golferdow01]

The minute the Horseshoe is mentioned is the minute the advantage goes to OSU...I don't care what time of the day or year it is. It could be a 120 degree dry heat(hypothetically) at the Shoe and OSU plays Arizona State and OSU has the advantage...nuff said

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Texas will be facing, by far, it's largest number of opposing fans...ever. The biggest opposing (non-neutral) venue that Texas has ever played so far was at Penn State on Sep 8, 1990. Beaver Stadium had a capacity of 83,370 at that time (attendance record at that capacity was 86,309, and it wasn't for Texas). Our attendance mark is 105,539, set on Nov 23, 2002 against (who else?) Michigan. However, it's a near certainty that the mark will be equaled or broken on Sep 10th. I'm not sure of what Texas' share of tickets is, but giving them a huge benefit of doubt due to a lot of Texans willing to pay scalpers top dollar to get in, I'll say there will be no more than 10,000 Texas fans (and that is a very generous estimate). That means there will be at least 95,500+ Buckeye fans, which is more than the entire 92,542-person capacity of the biggest venue that Texas has ever played in. Texas players will be intimidated, no doubt about it.

 

[jwinslow]

from soonerfans...

 

[Orangeblood]

Thanks Scooter

Thanks Scooter.. that's exactly what I was hoping to hear.

 

[bukIpower]

Hell yeah Mili- How can anyone come onto an OSU board and claim that there team most defiantly will be prepared for the environment of 105,000 fans. I'm saying there will be 6-7,00 Texas fans TOPS!! Vince won't be able to audible, and the defense will feed off of that. When Ginn breaks one on your secondary the 98,000 (or more) buckeye fans will go ape shit and it'll totally shoot your defenses confidence.

OSU has 3 starters in the secondary returning (Nate Salley, Donte Whitner, Ashton Youboty) that have all been mentioned for All American. (hell I didn't even realize that). Since your recievers are still very unproven and green our secondary can definatly keep an eye in that backfield without giving up a big play to your recievers down the field. Sorry your Db's don't have that advantage which in all cases can only help us penetrate a very good d-line with the running game.

 

[texasfight06]

Texas 28 OSU 27

I did not have a chance to watch a lot of Ohio State games last year (even though they always seem to be on TV in the northeast as the Big Ten games are always on for early games), so I cannot speak too much as to the strength or weakness of their offense. I also know as a recovering sports gambler (recovering until the I relapse around September 1st) that I cannot base a prediction on stats alone. You never know what passes should have been caught, what bonehead mistakes were made by players who aren't there anymore, the weather, etc.....

So from what I have read, Troy Smith is cleared, but still might not play? Please feel free to correct me. But if he does, it seems like he had a great game against Michigan, sounds familiar. But it also sounds like he had subpar games prior to the Michigan game. Also sounds familiar. However, I would have to give the edge to VYoung as he has played in more games and is taking much more leadership and experience in this game. Sounds like both games have unproven running games. It also sounds like your OSU has the baddest LB crew in the country. Texas is losing a great one, but replacing him with one who takes less chance. Edge still by far to the Buckeyes. I believe the DBs are about even, and the DL/OL goes to the Horns. All that being said, I believe that this will come down to Vince vs. the aforementioned bad ass LBs.

The Texas defense has gone through yet another year of change. Last year under Robinson, the defense played like the KC defense he coached in 2003, who led the league in TO ratio his last year thanks to his style of play. This style for the Horns resulted in the same outcome as the KC 2003, lots of big plays, and lots of scoring by your opponents. This year we have Auburn's old DC, a former Broyles Award winner as co-DC along with Akina (move made out of respect to Akina, although he is more of just a DB coach). The defense will be different from last year, taking less chances, so that should take care of some of the lack of defense presence as seen in the first half of OSU and the entire Braylon Edwards fiasco. However, this also presents a problem of some of our defensive players learning three different defensive schemes in three years.

I am giving a one point edge to the Horns, as your sixth year kicker will miss a seemingly unneeded xtra point as the Buckeyes take a 27-7 lead early in the second half. This will be followed up by 21 unanswered points, and the slightest margin of victory. (I think your crowd intimidates the Horns for the first half, but they will get over it.)

that all being said, I am probably strapped with a three point bias in favor of the Horns that cancels out the normal Vegas line three point home field advantage.

 

[jwinslow]

The one nice thing is that we have begun to seed games in the video forum (you have to be registered on BP to see it). Right now we are streaming the Michigan game, which many of you have seen.

However those that missed the Alamo Bowl & Michigan St (probably not covered) should watch those. They'll be added soon I bet.

 

[texasfight06]

parking lot

I am driving some Horns fans in an RV and I am trying to determine how to get into the parking lot. I read somewhere that it is day of the game parking, and that there are limited spaces. I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the best way to solidify a space. I have about eight mild mannered, yet knowledgable, Horns fans coming to the game to experience the Shoe in all its glory, and we definitely want to partake in the atmosphere experiencing prerequisite that is tailgating. Thanks for any advice.

 

[scooter1369]

I am driving some Horns fans in an RV and I am trying to determine how to get into the parking lot. I read somewhere that it is day of the game parking, and that there are limited spaces. I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the best way to solidify a space. I have about eight mild mannered, yet knowledgable, Horns fans coming to the game to experience the Shoe in all its glory, and we definitely want to partake in the atmosphere experiencing prerequisite that is tailgating. Thanks for any advice.

There are two lots for RV's. The big one is north of the Schottenstein Center on Fred Taylor Drive. Its a huge lot that serves the Track facility, the baseball stadium, and the Schott. That is where you most likely want to go.

Considering the drive up, you'll want to spend the night most likely in the overnight lot just north and west of that also on Fred Taylor Drive.

http://tp.osu.edu/maps/FootballParkingMap2005.pdf

This is a map looking west along Woody Hayes Drive. On the right you'll see a green parking lot. That is the RV lot I first mentioned. And unless things have changed from the three previous years, that lot accepts both season pass and day of game RV's.

Just to the right of that is a pink lot. That is where most of my customers park on Friday night and party til they pass out. They move to my lot (the green lot)in the morning.

My lot opens at 4:30am. That's the earliest I can let people in. For the Michigan games and the UW night game a few years ago, we had a long line of RV's waiting for me when I got there at 4:00am. They just line up on the street heading southbound from Ackerman road.

That leads me to the best way for you to get there. When you get into Metro Columbus take I70 towards downtown and then SR315 North towards campus. Get off at Ackerman Road, not Lane Avenue. The lots are much easier to access when coming from the next exit up. Turn right onto Ackerman Road and then right at the next light onto Fred Taylor Drive. This will bring you towards the overnight lot on your right. My lot will be at the end of the track stadium on the left.

Have a safe trip up. I hope your stay is an overall enjoyable experience despite the outcome of the game.

 

[ScarletInMyVeins]

If there were any of you guys that were planning on meeting up with Scooter, gost8, and I at the Nike Lounge this Friday, that has been cancelled and we haven't yet determined when we will get together. There have been some things that came up and we will have to reschedule.

 

[sandgk]

really? i never knew that...in fact i think i would pay money to see that...he should join the circus if this football thing doesnt work out

I'm playing catch-up on this thread, but man, its good to see another reminder of why we value HighLonesome as a witty and informed visiting fan.

 

[texasfight06]

DBs

Since your recievers are still very unproven and green our secondary can definatly keep an eye in that backfield without giving up a big play to your recievers down the field. Sorry your Db's don't have that advantage which in all cases can only help us penetrate a very good d-line with the running game.

That kind of scheme might come back to bite you. Yes the WRs are green and unproven, but they were also all stud recruits. Add that to Ramonce Taylor playing Slot or Flank and that guy can burn. If your secondary cheats too much, it will result in a big play as long as Vince connects (deep ball has to be better this year, but they are going to let him throw at a 45 degree rather than force him to come overhanded, in games last year when Texas was down in the second half, Vince stopped throwing overhand, and that's when he had his greatest success.) I did not know that you have three DBs mentioned as All-americans, I just looked at a list of top 25 safties and corners and only saw Yabouty, I will have to read up more on your secondary. Oh, and thanks for taking Yabouty out of Houston. You guys and your nationwide recruiting.

 

[High Lonesome]

I would tend to agree with texasfight, one guy he forgot to mention was david thomas, who at TE made more than one team pay for creeping up in the box last year. The truth is though, any team in the nation would much rather take their chances against a texas team that is throwing than one that is running. While longhornfans all believe that we have the talent to beat teams deep, we have yet to show the willingness to go deep or even the ability to.

what about Hodges Mitchel and Preist Holmes?

 

[texasfight06]

Te

If the OSU LBs are as good as they are supposed to be, Thomas could be shut down, causing more problems for Vince. Hopefully Young and Shipley or Nate or Ramonce can work out a deep ball. Last year it seemed as if deep balls were overthrown by about twenty yards. I also hope Sweed has improved, because he looked lost out there last year.

 

[jwinslow]

Texas fans, realize this is not intended for most of you, but for geniuses like xrayrandy and also 314 (who thankfully hasn't made it over here... he's the reason I had to stop visiting your great fansite HornFans). This is pure smack talk. We've spent 120 pages being polite. Time to get fired up

1. Troy has sucked all year long, and then had one good game against UM. Never mind the fact that such is a somewhat similar story with VY (vy had more average games against weak opponents). Never mind the fact that VY struggled a LOT against their 2nd-4th best opponents IMO. 11 of 22 150 yds vs. Arkie, 8 of 23 for 86 yds vs. OU (16 rushes 54 yds), 3 of 9 for 19 yds vs. Mizzou.

2. Their best RBs are just as unproven, but because of the guys that came before them this means they are proven. Pittman had similar success & experience to Young & Taylor... yet Pittman sucks. And Haw is a pot smoker so we can't talk about him (whoops, that kind of nullifies your RB history argument).

3. Michigan's OL is/was just as highly touted, yet because there are a couple stars on the Texas OL they are far better. Look how well it helped OU. But OSU blowing up that talented OL, especially since every position on that offense is loaded, doesn't mean anything.

3. Texas' DL is so nasty that Okie Lite racked up 35 points in one half. Remind me when that ever happened to OSU's weak DL.

4. Texas doesn't have a single receiver returning who has a TD catch in his resume. OSU can go 4 wide + TE and all have experience doing so. Never mind that Holmes is the best WR in the country, Ginn is the most dangerous with the ball, and Gonzo is huge mismatch for any secondary. The recruiting hype and practice snapshots show just how good these green WRs will be. Oh and please disregard the dropped passes seen in the spring "game" practice. They couldn't get it done during a glorified practice, but they'll have no trouble in front of 100,000 hostile fans.

5. But make sure not to apply that dominance by WRs like Shipley as a sign that our DBs are soft, because they will shutdown OSU's WRs. Huff is a stud safety who can also run circles around Ginn at corner he's so fast. Nevermind the fact that this means Huff will be leaving a vacant spot for a young guy at one position, whereas OSU is filling their only void with a senior who has lots of starts under his belt.

6. Benson wasn't your offense last year. He went top-5 in the NFL draft by luck. VY was everything, and none of VY's success can be attributed to the defense having to commit to stopping Benson.

7. Buckeye fans can't use the Rose Bowl as evidence, but Longhorns can. It showed just how elusive VY is and how hard he is to stop. Nevermind Michigan probably couldn't stop a dual-threat QB attack of Baylors. And don't pay attention to the fact that all but one of those runs were designed runs, not improvisation/scrambling.

8. If Derrick Johnson could only tackle VY 4 out of 10 times, that is proof that Hawk and the rest of the better LB corps won't be able to do any better. Never mind the fact that DJ has been criticized for his lack of size... because there's no difference between 6'2 230 (DJ) and 6'2 245 (hawk), 6'3 255 (Carpenter), 6'2 245 (Schlegel), and 6'3 250 (D'Andrea).