Game Thread Sugar Bowl: tOSU vs Arkansas, Tue, Jan 4th, 8:30 ET ESPN

[Coqui]

Newton is a more decisive runner & passer, but Pryor is a more accurate passer, imo.

Don't forget, that Beanie Wells taught him the SAoJ (Stiff Arm of Justice)

 

[SloopyHangOn]

Like several posters have mentioned, I too am concerned about being able to contain Pryor. We've been gashed several times by QB's that are able to run it up the middle and convert on 3rd and short. I know Pryor is fast and can hurt you when the play breaks down, but how is he on designed QB runs on 3rd and short-medium? Mississippi State's QB killed us with his ability to consistently pick up 2-4 yards right up the gut. Hopefully our D-coordinator can come up with a plan to stop this or I foresee Ohio State having some very long, time-consuming demoralizing drives.

If Tressel & Co. are drawing up a lot of designed runs for TP it's either because we're being dominated in the secondary or because we're up by 3 TDs. I don't see either of those things happening. Pryor has become better at running the read option, but is still about 50/50 on making the right call. 3rd and short/medium will most likely be when Boom gets the ball out of the backfield or TP dumps it off to the slot/rb. Where TP is the most dangerous is on 3rd and medium+. His ability to move the pocket and create space to a.) throw the ball and b.) tuck and run is easily tops in the nation (comparable only to Cam Newton).

I foresee Tressel's gameplan being one to limit Arkansas time with the ball, and because of this you might see a slight increase in the number of designed runs for TP, but if the Arkansas D can penetrate at all, those runs will be mostly fruitless.

I don't think Arkansas fans need to fear TP's legs. It has not been Ohio State's gameplan to win games solely on TP's feet. If TP's going to run, he's going to run (and he's going to be successful), but it will mostly be out of necessity rather than design. What Arkansas really needs to be afraid of is #12 and #1. Dane Sanzenbacher has some of the best hands in football and is a major threat on 3rd down. That threat increases when TP has time to roll out and buy time. Boom Herron has become one of the most consistent, downhill runners in the game over the last half of the season and he is a legitimate threat to turn a 3rd and 5 into a 25yd gain.

In truth, it's not the Arkansas defense I fear it's the Arkansas offense, specifically the passing attack. If Ohio State can score on their first possession (whether it mean going up by 7, 4, 3, tying the game or cutting the lead to 4) it will be a HUGE confidence booster for the Buckeyes to know that they CAN put up points (which they are going to HAVE to do) when Arkansas does.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. My prediction for this game:

13-10 Arkansas at the half
27-23 tOSU final

 

[LordJeffBuck]

I just want to know if your SOS concerns you at all. Do you really feel that you have an elite defense, or do you believe that the elite numbers come from playing an easy schedule? I think it's a fair question. I'm not trying to argue or start an argument. I am just honestly wondering if the OSU fans feel that their weak schedule will negatively affect them and if they truly believe that OSU has a top of the line defense compared to some of the better defenses that the SEC has put out in years past. Again, I think it's a fair question.

I think that SOS is overrated. If Arkansas played in the Sun Belt Conference, you'd likely be 12-0 right now instead of 10-2. Would you be better because your record was better, or worse because your schedule was worse? Seems to me that you'd have the same amount of talent so you'd be the same....

SOS is a slight factor in determining how good a team is, because teams don't get as much benefit from blow-out wins, and games against quality competition can help make a team mentally tough. But really, you are what your roster is, and Ohio State has as much talent on its roster as any team in the country. You can believe that statement or not, that is your choice.

Arkansas has played three teams with similar talent to Ohio State (LSU, Alabama, Aurburn), and you're 1-2; Ohio State has played one team with similar talent (Wisconsin), and we're 0-1. Can't really take much from that, other than both teams have a lot to prove on January 4th. Should be a good game.

 

[razorbacktim2]

Hello Ohio St fans. I was just browsing your board and wanted to say hello. I have read a few posters ask about Petrino and his offense and thought I would toss in my 2 cents worth :

Petrino calls his offense a power spread. He has the reputation as being pass happy but the man loves to run the football. Other than being one of the best play callers in college football Petrino also is a master of detail. Petrino will run the same play out of multiple formations to keep defenses honest.

He says pass to get the lead and run to win the game.

As far as our D is concerned we are a work in process. There are times when Willly Robinson has us looking like an all world D and there are times when we look like a conference USA D. Having said that this staff has put this D together pretty quickly and except for the linebacker position we can be a really tough D.

I honestly have not scouted your team much. But my initial impression is that you guys are a lot like the Alabama's of the world. You play good old fashioned SEC type smash mouth football and that is generally the teams we have the most trouble with. Pryor is one of the best QB's I have seen this season. I have noticed that he is very disciplined in the pocket while still a threat to run when things break down.

To be honest this game looks like a toss up. I appreciate your hospitality and letting me post on your board.

Just to warn ya about our message boards they suck. Hogville is run by a bunch of church ladies so they suck ass.

I have to tell you that I am very excited about playing against The Ohio St. University. You guys are the benchmark of modern success in college football and I look forward to a great game.

 

[Bill Lucas]

A couple of thoughts.

Ohio State has low sack numbers. Don't let that fool you into thinking that they don't pressure the quarterback. Several teams employed 3 step drops and a couple of opponents threw more passes intentionally away out of bounds than I've seen in quite a while.

How is Mallett when he has pressure at his feet? This is one of the keys to me. Ohio State doesn't have to sack him but if they keep him from stepping up and into his throws we're going to see him make bad decisions and throws like he did against Alabama in the 4th quarter. He can be rattled. If not, it could be a long evening.

Terrelle Pryor is much faster than you think he is. Look at the ridiculous run he makes against Michigan at 2:42 of the frst Michigan highlights video. Defenders take the wrong angle on him because he doesn't appear to be moving as fast as he is. It's not something you can duplicate in practice because you simply don't have anyone that approaches the athleticism he has for his size.

 

[muffler dragon]

On the other side of the ball, what are your thoughts on Mallett and the receiving corps (Williams, Adams, Childs, Hamilton, Wright, Gragg) ability to move the ball down the field?

Childs is out for the season and the bowl, no?

As for what I think of your receiving corps, considering what they've done this year. I would have to presume that they're formidable; however, I wouldn't know who they are in a game.

 

[Jerry Swinefeld]

I'm getting the sense we should just onside kick it everytime.

Fair enough.

Oh yeah the RAR HOF is sweet.

Go Heat.

 

[Buckeneye]

We've had some issues with play action against fast defenses, they've gotten into the backfield before the play has developed and sacked Mallett and killed some drives.

This is where the Silver Bullets can shine. Especially with our athletic ability up front. If Big Dex, Cam and Co. can blow things up in Davis' face with just our front 4, then I feel much more at ease with our secondary not biting on the action so much.


Then again, Mallett does have a damn fine play-fake.

 

[LordJeffBuck]

Hello Ohio St fans. I was just browsing your board and wanted to say hello. I have read a few posters ask about Petrino and his offense and thought I would toss in my 2 cents worth :

Petrino calls his offense a power spread. He has the reputation as being pass happy but the man loves to run the football. Other than being one of the best play callers in college football Petrino also is a master of detail. Petrino will run the same play out of multiple formations to keep defenses honest.

He says pass to get the lead and run to win the game.

As far as our D is concerned we are a work in process. There are times when Willly Robinson has us looking like an all world D and there are times when we look like a conference USA D. Having said that this staff has put this D together pretty quickly and except for the linebacker position we can be a really tough D.

I honestly have not scouted your team much. But my initial impression is that you guys are a lot like the Alabama's of the world. You play good old fashioned SEC type smash mouth football and that is generally the teams we have the most trouble with. Pryor is one of the best QB's I have seen this season. I have noticed that he is very disciplined in the pocket while still a threat to run when things break down.

To be honest this game looks like a toss up. I appreciate your hospitality and letting me post on your board.

Just to warn ya about our message boards they suck. Hogville is run by a bunch of church ladies so they suck ass.

I have to tell you that I am very excited about playing against The Ohio St. University. You guys are the benchmark of modern success in college football and I look forward to a great game.

Some of the best comments that I've seen yet from a Razorback fan (and most of you guys have been pretty good). Good insight into your team, astute comments about our team. First post GPA.

 

[HogFan77]

Childs is out for the season and the bowl, no?

As for what I think of your receiving corps, considering what they've done this year. I would have to presume that they're formidable; however, I wouldn't know who they are in a game.

Yeah, Childs is out.
Joe Adams: great in the open field, and we use him occasionally on end-around handoffs. He also returns punts, has a 97 yarder for a TD.

Jarius Wright: a very efficient receiver, usually use him in the slot. Has great hands, very precise route runner and can also make you miss in the open field.

Cobi Hamilton:one of our fastest players and the coaches have said he has the best hands on the field, he has stepped up big time since Childs went down.

DJ Williams: Mackey award finalist. Leader among active tight ends for career receptions. Is deceptively fast, watch out for him on third downs, we love to go to him when we are in desperate need to move the chains.

Ronnie Wingo: Actually a running back but we use him as a receiver out of the back field a bit. Also one of the fastest guys on the team.

Chris Gragg: Another Tight End with good hands, has gone unnoticed a few times this year for easy touchdowns.



We'll probably use Brandon Mitchell on our scout team to imitate Pryor. He's 6'4" and around 230 pounds. Was listed as 4.5 in the 40 yard dash coming out of high school. A lot of folks here in Arkansas think he'll take over when Mallett leaves. He hasn't shown himself to be incredibly accurate in practice, but he does have a big arm and nice size and speed. He's obviously not going to be anywhere close to actually being Pryor, but it gives us something to work with.

 

[Fratteries]

Also, you OSU fans making the trip to Nola will having bleeding ears from hearing our Hog Call. But out of respect to us don't make fun of it. It's a tradition dating back to the 1920's and if you make fun of it to someone to their face in Nola prepare for some words. Just a fair warning :)

 

[SloopyHangOn]

Also, you OSU fans making the trip to Nola will having bleeding ears from hearing our Hog Call. But out of respect to us don't make fun of it. It's a tradition dating back to the 1920's and if you make fun of it to someone to their face in Nola prepare for some words. Just a fair warning :)

Was at an Arkansas game last year down in F-ville and had the privilege of sitting right behind two of the nicest, drunkest, bumpkinest Razorback faithful I could imagine. We regaled in stories of football tradition, and they mentioned how just about every program in the SEC uses the same handful of band songs. They had zero problem tearing their own program a new one in regard to silly (yet beloved) football traditions, but when I said "man that chant is annoying" they both sobered up for half of a second, turned to me and said, "no it's not" (a la Heath Ledger's Joker when told he is crazy).

You don't have to tell me twice.

 

[muffler dragon]

Yeah, Childs is out.
Joe Adams: great in the open field, and we use him occasionally on end-around handoffs. He also returns punts, has a 97 yarder for a TD.

Jarius Wright: a very efficient receiver, usually use him in the slot. Has great hands, very precise route runner and can also make you miss in the open field.

Cobi Hamilton:one of our fastest players and the coaches have said he has the best hands on the field, he has stepped up big time since Childs went down.

DJ Williams: Mackey award finalist. Leader among active tight ends for career receptions. Is deceptively fast, watch out for him on third downs, we love to go to him when we are in desperate need to move the chains.

Ronnie Wingo: Actually a running back but we use him as a receiver out of the back field a bit. Also one of the fastest guys on the team.

Chris Gragg: Another Tight End with good hands, has gone unnoticed a few times this year for easy touchdowns.

Of all the players you mention, I must admit that Williams gives me terrors. Nothing quite like a TE to destroy a defense and capitalize on coverage mistakes.

I'll fall short of what many other posters can bring to the table, but from my memory this is how the Buckeye counterparts appear:

Dane Sanzenbacher: slot receiver, precise route runner, excellent hands, tough as nails. Just voted our MVP for the season.

Devier Posey: deep threat, marginal hands, should be better, but can turn in a helluva performance.

Taurian Washington: has played the roll of third receiver some this year. Hasn't done much.

Jake Stoneburner: used to be a WR, but plays TE. Excellent hands and speed for his size.

Reid Fragel: back-up TE that blocks well and occasionally catches a pass.

"Philly" Brown: Resident speedster. Has played a decent amount, but his potential far outweights his performance thus far.

I'll shirk into the shadows while my fellow BPers take over on this.

We'll probably use Brandon Mitchell on our scout team to imitate Pryor. He's 6'4" and around 230 pounds. Was listed as 4.5 in the 40 yard dash coming out of high school. A lot of folks here in Arkansas think he'll take over when Mallett leaves. He hasn't shown himself to be incredibly accurate in practice, but he does have a big arm and nice size and speed. He's obviously not going to be anywhere close to actually being Pryor, but it gives us something to work with.

We'll probably bring Boeckman back to impersonate Mallett, but truly, who can replicate THE Legend that is Ryan Mallett?!

 

[zincfinger]

My Arkansas pt predictions against various OSU defenses:

02, 05 D would yield 17-24 pts
03, 09 D would yield 21-27 pts
04, 08 D would yield 27-34 pts
06, 07 D would yield 31-37 pts

I would put the 10 D in between the 2nd & 3rd group.

Projected scoring totals aside, the only change I'd make in your rankings is to create a distinction between the early-season and late-season '04 defenses. Late-season '04 belongs about where you placed them; early-season '04 gets ranked behind all the others.

 

[SmoovP]

Two reasons I disagree with the higher point totals:

1) SEC football employs a lot more man defense. OSU plays both, but employs more zone looks. Mallett will not have as many opportunities for his frequent full-field strikes.

2) OSU is a very good rushing team (especially since shifting back to a RB centric offense, a change that helped them a lot in 09 also).

Arkansas has been fairly average against the rush, and Boom & Pryor should be able to eat up clock with a steady dose of rushes, designed or otherwise.

UGA - 24 att 117 yds 4.9 ypc - 72nd ranked rushing offense
ALA - 32 att 242 yds 7.6 ypc - 36 rank (WR & QB stats excluded in 32 att)
ATM - 26 att 119 yds 4.7 ypc - 43 rank
AUB - 49 att 330 yds 6.7 ypc - 06 rank
MIS - 39 att 176 yds 4.5 ypc - 19 rank (removed wr carries)
VAN - 17 att 088 yds 5.2 ypc - 81 rank (removed non RB, #1 QB carries)
SCR - 25 att 114 yds 4.6 ypc - 60 rank (removed team loss, backup QB carry)
UTP - .......................................... irrelevant imo
MST - 67 att 260 yds 3.8 ypc - 16 rank (removed wr, P carries)
LSU - 39 att 100 yds 2.6 ypc - 33 rank

Vic Ballard had a big day for MST (150 yds 3 td 4.5 ypc), the QB was consistent if a lil behind (103 yds 1 td 3.3 ypc)

Note, Lattimore was shut down, though Garcia had some success. He was also awful through the air, so Ark could stack the box.

Note: Vs. Alabama, we gave up a long TD (80 yards if memory serves) to the Heisman guy, Mark Ingram.

Vs. Auburn, nobody has really stopped Cam Newton this year. People that have slowed him down running have watched him pass over them and vice versa.

<digress> If you're judging by On The Field performance alone, Newton wins the Heisman this year in what should be a record setting fashion - with 100% of the vote. No one has come close to doing what he's done. He's a better runner and passer than St. Tebow, a better runner and passer than V. Young, etc., etc. And the hell of it is, is that he's ALL that Auburn has. But it is a <censored> TRUCK LOAD. It's been amazing to watch, really. Based on performance, he clearly is the best player of the year.</digress>

So, those are the two sore thumb performances by the Arkansas D this year. Also, Vandy was over early, and lots of young guys got playing time.

Looking at the numbers you listed, what I see is a a Defense that got better as the year went along.