Different year for the Buckeyes!

LSU-no imagination. They don't spread you out like Fla and Ill
(osu'sweakness) .

You want to badmouth OSU for the next 34 days? fine.

You want to put another SEC 'juggernot' up against the
bucks? fine

You want to put the 'best defense' up against the
bucks? fine by me.

All of it is bulletin board material which is what
Florida read last year for a month.

I will take a game where you give Tress 2 months to
tear his team down by showing them newsclips, pit him
against Les freaking Miles vs a team that features no
imagination, smash mouth football with a white
tailback.

You want to win the national title by playing tressel
ball LSU? good luck on that one. OSU has lost two
games in the last 25 both to spread teams. I will take
my chances vs a vanilla offense any day.

Two areas of concern:
1. LSU has a month to get healthy
2. Not exactly a good opponent to get Todd Boeckman's
confidence back. I mean he played well for 10 games
and stunk the last two. That does concern me.
****I am not concerned with the home crowd. Roughly
1/3 of the tickets go to LSU and 1/3 goes to OSU and
1/3 goes to locals (I know that is not the exact way they cut up the pie but that makes the math easy)  Well both will obviously sell out but don't think that huge OSU alumni money won't buy thier share of that 1/3 local pie in New Orleans. That is a
down trotten economy and OSU will gobble up tons of
tickets on ebay, scalpers etc. Don't be fooled at
worst that is 60%-40% in favor of LSU fans. Basically
a true nuetral game.

All in all I like this matchup. I think the game can
become a typical Tressell ball type of game and I
truely believe OSU has as many athletes as LSU. We
shall see.

OSU has the same great athletes that LSU does. OSU has better coaching. OSU has the best D in the land. OSU has a great RB and LSU has not done well with those lately. The line is about -5.5 and dropping, looks like the home field edge, but expect a lot of OSU fans too. Should be a nice game.

I too think it is a going to be a good game. I will just take my chances in a game where the temp should be where Tress is at his best.

 

Could LSU win by 7+? Sure. but this misconception that OSU is slow and has no athletes is nonsense.

 

Jenkins, Animal, Gholston are all locks for the first round (all of them will go pro by the way).

 

Boone/Robiskie/Freeman are likely second round picks if they declare.

 

The NFL doesn't draft slow unathletic DE, CB, LB's etc. Most of thier recruits picked OSU over places like Tennessee, Florida etc. Just like Florida's recruits picked Gainesville over Columbus. All the big schools basically go after the same blue chippers in one form or the other. These guys just don't get slow once they step onto big 10 country.

 

Hell not that either guy will be much of a factor but the only RB in college who could give Trindon Holliday a run for his money in the 100 meter dash is Brandon Saine who ran a 10.15 as a sophmore in the Ohio state finals.

 

 

That does bewilder me why guys keep on saying the SEC is so much faster when Ohio State has more NFL guys than any SEC team...it would seem the recruiters would know what the NFL scouts would know what they are doing.

I could be wrong on this but I think the BCS started in 98.

 

98: Tee Martin and Tennessee won as a underdog vs FSU ( I think Tenn was the dog in this game)

 

99: FSU won over VT and was the favorite

 

00: Oklahoma beat FSU as a big dog. That game was like a baseball score.

 

01: Miami kicked the shit out of Neb and was a huge favorite. I think 15 points or so.

 

02: OSU beat Miami as a huge dog

 

03: LSU beat Okla as a 6 point dog

 

04: USC beat Okla in a virtual pick'em game.

 

05: Texas beat USC as a 7 point dog

 

06: Florida beat OSU as a 7 point dog

 

 So in 9 games the favorite won twice, one was a pick'em game and 6 times the dog won!! You could also argure to throw out that Nebraska game as they had no business being on the same Rose bowl field.

 

 

Gabby you make some good points in a civil discussion unlike others. I think OSU is a good team but I haven't seen them in enough tough situations this year to call them a great team as I don't think there is a great team this year in college football. As godfather16 can tell you I'm a huge LSU backer and here is what my take is. Whqat I would be worried about if I was a OSU backer is LSU will get healthy on the defensive side of the ball and I believe we will see the defense that we saw early in the year. That could spell trouble for your QB who has not been in a situation like this before and he could get suffacated in the pocket and make some young mistakes. If OUS falls behind in this game and they are forced to throw that will be bad news. LSU has 2 outstanding cover corners in Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon and a safety by the name of Craig Steltz that is a pure animal. All of LSU's LB's and DL should be healthy for this game and I see Dorsey being the key.OSU has a very good offensive line and in order for them to win they will have to protect there QB and open holes for Mr.Wells. Robiskie at WR is very good but I think will be neutralized by Jackson. Now let's get to the intrsting aspect. Trust me LSU will spread out there offense because they have the talent and speed to do so. They will go 4 wide with Doucet, Byrd, Lafell and Tolliver all with unreal speed. In the slot they will have Trindon Holliday who we all know can take it the distance at any time. Don't under estimate Jacb Hester. He is a mule who will wear you down and as we all know the LSU RB's have fumbled only 3 times all year. Along with Hester throw in 3 high school all amricans in Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy and there are plenty of weapons to spread the OSU defense out. Laurenitis is a animal when he is playing inside and attacking and LSU knows that. QB match ups favor LSU in my opinion with Matt Flynn who has been battle tested and played in many huge games and Ryan Perrilloux who just passed his first big game test in stepping in and leading LSU to the SEC championship. Kicking game for LSU is very good and special teams and coverage are excellent. Colt David has had a huge year for the Tigers. I don't know much about OSU's kicking game so maybe you or godfather 16 can shed some light on that. Miles vs Tressell is a mismatch but they don't play the game, they don't catch passes, or make mistakes. Now as far as the crowd, I'm in New Orleans I that 60-40 number you said is way off. Trust me OSU will have there fair share of fans but this WILL be a home crowd for this game in every aspect. I look forward to a great game and meeting alot of OSU people in the french qurater and talking a little trash. Thanks and good luck and any other info on the buckeyes would be appreciated.

petelapot---

nice writeup and its nice to see informed but not overzealolus info on a team you like.

 

Thanks it's nice to have a civil discussion without all the BS. It will help us all in the long run.

You are right Gabby it is a new year... will things be different?

 

1.  OSU was almost a "lock" to win the national championship.

2.  OSU top receiver goes down early in the game.

3.  The layover from the regular season to the championship had an adverse effect on the bucks...  Their timing was off, they were slugglish

4.  Florida kicks their ass

 

1.  OSU is a 6 point underdog

2.  A younger less experienced team (than last year) will try to prove they belong.

3.  Will they be ready physically and mentally?

 

Now we could sit here and speculate on this matchup all day long but im sure of one thing that will be a huge key in this game.  Tressel is a intelligent man and a good coach.  He will have his squad well prepared for this game.  I agree with you that things will be different this year...  Even if the buckeyes come up short on the scoreboard I believe they will play with an intensity so strong that each player will play better than his own ability.  A very different showing than the poor effort that was given a year ago.

 

 

Class act Petelapot

 

Last year was last year but....The layover last year proved to be a poison as they had 45 days to here how great they were. Troy Smith definately gained 15 lbs over the holiday and banquet circuit and refused to scramble as he was playing for an NFL contract period. The defense had zero scheme which is astonishing and Jermaine O'neal was the worst safety in the history of OSU football. This former 5 star recruit is now benched.

 

You may not believe me but I actaully witnessed a senior (who will remain nameless) on OSU's roster at a nightclub over the holidays ask a guy I know who he knew if he had any coke. That is not the way you prepare for a national championship.

 

This year I think the layoff will be a blessing. Word is Tress is working his team harder and you know they will be focused. Petelapot made a good point about LSU's defense and I have no doubt that along with USC these are two of the three best defenses anyway you want to cut it.

 

 

 

Boeckman is 24 years old and kind of reminds me of the LSU qb who went up against that great Okla defense in the 03 title game. He has played two straight clunckers but is he really that much different then Flynn on the other side of the coin? Both have been up and down.  I know his bread and butter of throwing it deep to Robiskie won't be there with this LSU defense. 

 

I also  know LSU has a month to get healthy but so does Beanie Wells. Yes, he is that much better than Antonio Pittman. He has had knicks all year and at the end of the year had a bad hammy, bad hand, and slight ankle problem. This kid is a stud (think lendale white with better top end speed). He is not McFadden electric but you saw what Arkansas did by pounding it. I think you will see a heavy dose. The only problem is he has not proven to be a workhorse until the Michigan game and OSU does not have a decent back-up to spell him. Handing the ball off to the other Wells, Maurice will be throw away downs with that LSU speed.

 

At WR Small and Hartline are actually faster than Robiskie. Obviously this is a big drop-off from last year but all three can make plays. WR is never a problem at OSU dating back to Joey Galloway.

 

 

 

Pete - OSU's special teams are very good, not great as in year's past, their kicking game is good, haven't used it much. Boeckman had a pretty good year, and when they went to PSU they destroyed that team which happens rarely at Happy Valley. The PSU defense had a lot of sacks up to that point but didn't presssure the Qb at all, the OSU O'line did great. VS illinois the ill defense did pressure the QB into numerous mistakes and their defense wasn't as highly rated as PSU's. I would like to have the game now as LSU will get healthy and maybe put the coaching mess behind them. I like the points here, and If I was an LSU backer I wouldn't wantb to lay the points but that is the "Home team tax."

Gabby I definitly agree that OSU will be MUCH better prepared this year as opposed to last year. Boeckman you say is 24? Where has this guy been?? I don't remember him playing much in past years. He is behind a very stout offensive line though. I myself am grateful that this game is a ways away for LSU's sake as they will get healthy but in all reality I hate it. How sharp can you expect these teams to be after such a long lay off?? Speaking of last year how did the coaches at OSU allow Tro Smith to get in that bad of shape? He was sucking wind early in that game and as you said he was over weight for sure. Will you being going down to the big easy?? If so let me know, because I'll be able to tell you where to go and where not to go. Also first round is always on the " home" team.

Godfather 16, thanks for the info on the special teams because I had no clue about OSU's kicking game. Covering punts and kickoffs has been a strength of LSU's all year and Chad Jones, a true freshman and Trindon Holliday do a great job in that department. Are you going down to New Orleans for the game? If so let me know. That point spread stinks in my opinion and I'll probably lay off and just enjoy the atmosphere and game. I've never been around OSU's fan so I look forward to alot of fun.

Boeckman is actually 23. My bad. He is a Greyshirt and Redshirt so in essence a 5th year junior.

 

 

No. I realize LSU has speed and will spread you out. It didn't come out well. Ill and Florida run more 'gimmick' offenses where the QB has specific run plays and the ball on passes get out quick. LSU runs more of a pro style offense that is similar to the big boys of the big 10. OSU ran the spread last year for the most part but it was a different type of spread then they saw vs Florida.

 

I watched plenty of LSU and if imagination is throwing a ball up for grabs with time ticking down is imagination then fine. It worked out but was it crazy or brilliant? I watched the thrird OT vs Kentucky and those 4 play calls were about as vanilla as you get.  I also know that LSU struggled against Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas so we shall see. There are no great teams this year and I think this game is wide open.

 

I know Flynn and the Perriloux (however you spell his name) runs well but they run after a play breaks down. You don't see a lot of option with LSU.

 

 

LSU has more NFL talent then USC? That is hard to believe. Accoring to the announcers USC might have as many as 7 future 1st round picks on denfense that starts. Booty, maybe 4 running backs, Fred Davis the TE, and the LT are all 1st day draftees when their time is up at USC.

 

 

Gabby,  are you going down to New Orleans for the game??

No, I wish but can't swing it. I went last year unfortunately and I just went on a golf trip to Mytle last month. My wife might kill me if I take 3 guy vacations in one year.

 

 

Ill be in New Orleans to see the Buckeyes win convincly over this overrated group of underachievers that reflect the pretentions attitude of their coach.  OSU 30-13

Gabby, godfather16, I knew it was just a mattrer of time before some idiot like Mr.Insight came in here and ruined this thread and gives OSU a bad name. Mr.Insight you really brought alot to this thread and a ton of information also. OSU may win this game btu 30-13 now thats funny. Please go in other threads to add all this great info you bring.

I would definitely call myself a Buckeyes homer since I truly bleed scarlet and gray. I agree 100% that this is a different Bucks team then last year. I think if anything Tressel has learned a lot from the Florida beatdown and the Illini loss. Remember if Tressel doesn't call timeout on that 4th and 1 with 6:30 left in the game OSU gets the ball back and then who knows what would have happened, but hind sight is 20/20 vision. I think this matchup is going to be a fun one to watch. I have had the pleasure of watching several LSU games this season and honestly I was not overly impressed. Their defense has been highly suspect and has plenty of holes. Yes LSU has won some tough games but so have the Buckeyes. Overall I think this game will be one of the better National Championship games comparable to the USC/TEX game. Exciting with hopefully a Buckeye victory. I wish good luck to both sides.

 

I also appreciate being able to have a civil discussion pertaining to this game without the typical Covers asshole bashing. I have been guilty of some trash talk from time to time but in my defense it is due to frustration when others talk bad about the team I love. As I stated above I truly do bleed scarlet and gray. Good luck to all.