Game Thread tOSU vs. Sparty, B1G Championship Game, Sat 8 ET on FOX

[Coqui]

I dislike the Oregon comparisons just based on talent in the trenches. OSU has a lot more size, depth, and ability on its lines than the Oregons and Baylors of the world.
Where Oregon falls apart against these physical teams is by getting dominated up front and worn down because they can't hang with the physical attack for 4 quarters.
OSU has the horses to do so. I think 28 is enough to win the game for the Buckeyes, but it wouldn't surprise me if they approach 40, as I don't see Sparty sustaining long drives like Iowa did in the first half.

Thanks guys.

 

[Greyshirt]

BTW as a Spartan I renounce and SCum fans rooting for MSU. They can SUX IT.

That is just more of their arrogant BS acting like they are all in for MSU......complete BS. I can tell you this for sure. It will be a million years before I root for SCum in any game. Even the NC game. Them winning only causes me pain.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

Ok, someone needs to talk me off the ledge here.

All I keep seeing is 2010 Oregon in the Rose Bowl. OSU hadn't seen an offense like Oregon's all year. Oregon hadn't faced a defense like OSU's all year. Now it's reveresed only replace Oregon with MSU.

OSU have an unstoppable offense, MSU has an unpenetrable defense. How is OSU going to win this game?

All I can possibly think of is, our defense can stop the run so the grinding it out, clock management aspect OSU used on Oregon won't be there, but they can dink and dive pass attack to acheive the same thing.
Michigan was able to stop OSU in 3 out of the first 5 drives. MSU's defense is way better. But Miller was wearing gloves and had to accoutn for wind.

Frankly I don't see a lot of drives happening from either team this game.

Someone instill some confidence in me please.

I would say 2 things. Firstly, MSU has one week to plan for us while we had four weeks to plan for Oregon. Secondly, their defense is very good, no doubt. But if you actually look at the teams they've played they only have faced one very good offense in Indiana and one decently good offense in Nebraska. Indiana scored 28 on them at MSU and Nebraska scored 28 at Nebraska. I think we put up 31 personally.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Boys and girls, this is going to be one tough game. Last year we won by one point. This year will be much closer. One point in over time 4.

That would be an accomplishment. The only way I can see that happening is:

In the 4th overtime, MSU has the first offensive possession and throws and interception. OSU foolishly tries to return it but fumbles into their own endzone where they recover it for a safety.
Basil then kicks the game winning field goal for a one point victory.

I can't find many scenarios where a 4 OT game would be decided by one point.

 

[Coqui]

I would say 2 things. Firstly, MSU has one week to plan for us while we had four weeks to plan for Oregon. Secondly, their defense is very good, no doubt. But if you actually look at the teams they've played they only have faced one very good offense in Indiana and one decently good offense in Nebraska. Indiana scored 28 on them at MSU and Nebraska scored 28 at Nebraska. I think we put up 31 personally.

Would have felt much better had you said OSU put up 35.

Seeing as OSU has never lost in the history of the program when they've scored 35 points.

 

[zincfinger]

That would be an accomplishment. The only way I can see that happening is:

In the 4th overtime, MSU has the first offensive possession and throws and interception. OSU foolishly tries to return it but fumbles into their own endzone where they recover it for a safety.
Basil then kicks the game winning field goal for a one point victory.

I can't find many scenarios where a 4 OT game would be decided by one point.

Meyer goes for three?

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

Would have felt much better had you said OSU put up 35.

Seeing as OSU has never lost in the history of the program when they've scored 35 points.

Let's make it 45 and call it a day.

 

[Coqui]

Let's make it 45 and call it a day.

I can live with that

 

[scarletngray]

Confidence?:
Mewhort, Norwell, Linsley, Hall, Decker
Miller, Hyde, Wilson
Heuverman, Smith, Brown, Spencer

Miller, Hyde and Wilson are the most explosive trio in CFB running behind what is arguably the best OL in CFB.

We'll be just fine...

 

[kujirakira]

It wouldn't surprise me if people are saying Wisconsin has the best defense at the end of the year.

 

[Dryden]

I dislike the Oregon comparisons just based on talent in the trenches. OSU has a lot more size, depth, and ability on its lines than the Oregons and Baylors of the world.

Where Oregon falls apart against these physical teams is by getting dominated up front and worn down because they can't hang with the physical attack for 4 quarters.

This. Remember that the 2009 Oregon team opened the season at Boise St with an 8-19 loss; didn't gain a single first down in the entire first half of that game. The '09 Purdue team that finished 5-7 played Oregon to a FG margin early that season too. Since Chip Kelly installed his offense in the 2007 season they've demonstrated a remarkable inability to move the ball against Stanford & Southern Cal most seasons, have multiple losses to mediocre Arizona & Cal squads, and have lost high profile OOC games to LSU, Auburn, Ohio State, and Boise State (twice).

But damn, Oregon sure kicked Nicholls St's ass.

Oregon's O/D lines have nowhere near the skill & depth of what Ohio St currently sports.

 

[youra6]

Would have felt much better had you said OSU put up 35.

Seeing as OSU has never lost in the history of the program when they've scored 35 points.

That's actually pretty darn incredible.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

Urban always says he wants a pissed off and angry football team. If there is one unit that will need no imitation stimulation to achieve that this Saturday, it will be the Buckeye defense...I have a feeling they come up BIG against the Sparty O.

 

[OSUK]

Ok, someone needs to talk me off the ledge here.

All I keep seeing is 2010 Oregon in the Rose Bowl. OSU hadn't seen an offense like Oregon's all year. Oregon hadn't faced a defense like OSU's all year. Now it's reveresed only replace Oregon with MSU.

OSU have an unstoppable offense, MSU has an unpenetrable defense. How is OSU going to win this game?

All I can possibly think of is, our defense can stop the run so the grinding it out, clock management aspect OSU used on Oregon won't be there, but they can dink and dive pass attack to acheive the same thing.
Michigan was able to stop OSU in 3 out of the first 5 drives. MSU's defense is way better. But Miller was wearing gloves and had to accoutn for wind.

Frankly I don't see a lot of drives happening from either team this game.

Someone instill some confidence in me please.

I saved the Sparty/Neb game on DVR and have watched it several times. Nebraska is the closest thing Sparty has played to Ohio State. Abdullah and Hyde are comparable and a healthy TMart would have been something that would give an idea of what Brax could do against them. But Nebraska didn't have that. Nebraska has decent receivers. The OSU line is much better than Nebraska's. Still, they hit them for 186 yards rushing and 28 points. Herman is going to test that defense in ways it has not been tested. They will play man on the outside and cheat their safeties up to deal with Hyde, and they will try to contain Brax between the DE's. That means that Philly and D Smith have to make some big plays on the outside and Brax has to be accurate in the passing game. If he is, that will open up the decide play and Hyde. It will be cat and mouse for a while and Sparty will make some plays that will limit yards and points, but Ohio State has too many weapons to be shut down.

But I think the bigger advantage for the good guys is (it's hard to say) the OSU D vs. the MSU O - not because that the OSU D is going to be a substantially better unit than they were last week, but because of what the Sparty offense is. Remember the days when everyone in the stadium knew Ohio State was running Dave? Well, now we get to be the guys who plug the C gap and tackle them for a 2 yard loss. So job #1 is stop Dave. When they do pass, Cook is a statue back there. He doesn't really even slide away from pressure well. He will not beat us with his feet. Assuming Fickell is not still committed to rushing 3 and dropping 8 (which only results in 12-20 yard completions with no one within 10 yards of the receiver), the Bucks should get to this guy. Maybe I assume too much. And, for good measure, I will throw in that MSU receivers only catch the ball about half the time it hits their hands.

Be of good cheer. 31-17 Bucks.

 

[Coqui]

I saved the Sparty/Neb game on DVR and have watched it several times. Nebraska is the closest thing Sparty has played to Ohio State. Abdullah and Hyde are comparable and a healthy TMart would have been something that would give an idea of what Brax could do against them. But Nebraska didn't have that. Nebraska has decent receivers. The OSU line is much better than Nebraska's. Still, they hit them for 186 yards rushing and 28 points. Herman is going to test that defense in ways it has not been tested. They will play man on the outside and cheat their safeties up to deal with Hyde, and they will try to contain Brax between the DE's. That means that Philly and D Smith have to make some big plays on the outside and Brax has to be accurate in the passing game. If he is, that will open up the decide play and Hyde. It will be cat and mouse for a while and Sparty will make some plays that will limit yards and points, but Ohio State has too many weapons to be shut down.

But I think the bigger advantage for the good guys is (it's hard to say) the OSU D vs. the MSU O - not because that the OSU D is going to be a substantially better unit than they were last week, but because of what the Sparty offense is. Remember the days when everyone in the stadium knew Ohio State was running Dave? Well, now we get to be the guys who plug the C gap and tackle them for a 2 yard loss. So job #1 is stop Dave. When they do pass, Cook is a statue back there. He doesn't really even slide away from pressure well. He will not beat us with his feet. Assuming Fickell is not still committed to rushing 3 and dropping 8 (which only results in 12-20 yard completions with no one within 10 yards of the receiver), the Bucks should get to this guy. Maybe I assume too much. And, for good measure, I will throw in that MSU receivers only catch the ball about half the time it hits their hands.

Be of good cheer. 31-17 Bucks.

With everything you just said I would think 50+ (removing 20 points because of their defense)