Hey Buckeyes, here is some last-second peace-of-mind (a write-up of a NCAA 2006 simulation I did for Bucknuts):
Ok, pregame Herbstreit picked Texas to win because they had a "better defense" and Corso took Texas, as well.
The Bucks stuffed UT's opening drive and then marched down the field for the 1st score (a 14-yard run by Pittman). The defenses took over from there for about a quarter, with Texas having turnover problems and OSU unable to convert 3rd-downs. Texas finally put together a drive and scored on a Vince Young 6-yard run with just under 3 minutes left in the half.
Even with time left on the clock, I got the feeling that Texas went into the locker room mentally. Troy Smith led the Bucks down the field with a quick passing attack, culminating in a 14-yard TD pass to Hamby. With 1 minute to go, Texas gave the ball up quickly on a 3-and-out, and Fowler and Herbstreit were about ready to send it up to the halftime crew. But not so fast! Antonoio Pittman took a handoff up the middle, out to the right sideline, and 82 yards to a deafening cheer from the OSU faithful. Fourteen seconds left in the half and OSU has seized a 21-7 lead.
The third quarter turned into a defensive struggle, with Vince Young being physically separated from the ball by AJ Hawk and Ohio State's offense failing to convert 3rd downs and throwing a pick. Texas finally broke through with a 42-yard FG to bring it to 21-10. Then they kicked off to TGII. Ginn's only contribution of the day was a 62-yard return that jump-started the tOSU offense. Ohio State scored two quick touchdowns, and Texas looked done.
Down 35-10 with 3 minutes remaining in the game, Texas pride took over. Young avoided a blitz and launched a 47-yard bomb to Jordan Shipley. Ohio State threw an interception, and Vince Young again marched Texas to a score (this time to his TE). An option play scored the 2-point conversion, and Texas was suddenly within 10 with 37 seconds to go. The fans who had left with 3 minutes to go probably wondered why the Shoe went silent for about 10 seconds, but I know the reason. It was an improbable bounce off an Ohio State player that allowed Texas to recover an onside kick. But the Buckeye defense finally put this one to bed, stuffing a 4th-and-one run and sending Texas home to a hail of "OVERRATED" chants.
Final score: Ohio State 35 Texas 25
1st Quarter
3:41- Bucks 14-yard run by Pittman (7-0 OSU)
2nd Quarter
2:52- Texas 6-yard run by V.Young (7-7)
1:08- Bucks 14-yard pass from Smith to Hamby (14-7)
0:14- Bucks 82-yard run by Pittman (21-7)
3rd Quarter
1:23- Texas 42-yard FG (21-10)
0:15- Bucks 14-yard run by Schnittker (28-10)
4th Quarter
6:01- Bucks 23-yard pass from Smith to Gonzalez (35-10)
3:10- Texas 47-yard pass from V.Young to Shipley (35-17)
0:37- Texas 13-yard pass from V.Young to Thomas (S.Young 2-yard run for conversion) (35-25)
Key stats
1st downs- Tx 14 OSU 15
Total offense- Tx 342 OSU 310
Sacks- Tx 2 OSU 2
3rd-down conversions- Tx 7-15(46%) OSU 3-10(30%)
Redzone-TD-FG Tx 2-2-0 OSU 4-4-0
Turnovers- Tx 3 OSU 1
Fumbles-Lost Tx 3-1 OSU 0-0
KR yards- Tx 43 OSU 123
TOP- Tx 14:53 OSU 13:07
OSU standouts
Smith- 15-23 176 yards 2TDs 1 Int 149.5 rating
Pittman- 18carries, 127 yds 2TDs
Hamby- 6rec, 88yds 1 TD
Holmes- 3 rec, 52 yds
Gonzalez- 1rec, 23yds 1TD
Hawk- 8tkl (2TFL) 1FF
Youboty- 6tkl (1TFL) 1int 1 FR
Pitcock- 4tkl (4TFL) 1 sack
Ginn- 2KR, 85yds (62 long)
Texas standouts
V.Young- 13-24 205yds 2 TDs 2 int 163.4 rating, 10 ruses, 34 yds, 1 TD
S.Young- 22 carries, 58 yds
Sweed- 5 rec, 69yds
Thomas- 2rec, 29yds 1 TD
Shipley- 2rec, 59yds 1 TD
Robison- 5tkl (4TFL) 1 sack
