*** Oregon vs. Ohio State Discussion & In-Game Thread ***

The coaching angle is overrated- players that make plays decide the game.

Meyer's edge is that his team will hang tough unlike the quitters from FSU and their coaching staff that kept making excuses for the team all year.

I like Oregon just because of the edge at QB.

I would wait on the line because early word is the Vegas sharps are going to be on OSU.

I think Oregon is the better team- faster, better QB, its defense causes more turnovers.

But it seems like OSU might be one of those teams that lucks out this year.

Turnovers gained:

OSU 32

Oregon 30

OSU actually has created more turnovers

Definitely, and that is why I am leaning OSU. Oregon is +20 in turnover margin good for second in the country. Yet all we hear is about is how prolific Oregon's offense is. Oregon only managed 2.2 more points per game than OSU despite that +20 margin. OSU was 17th in the country at +10., still -10 to Oregon but they scored 2.2 less ppg? OSU played by far the better defenses. They have played some very good scoring defenses #6 Alabama, #7 PSU, #17 Wisconsin, #22 Michigan State, and #28 Michigan. Oregon has only played #2 Stanford and #22 Michigan state, is +10 in turnover margin over OSU and only scored 2.2 points more than OSU?

I almost think that Oregon will have to win the turnover battle by 2+ just to win the game. OSU will score vs Oregon, I don't see any way Oregon stops their run game. I think OSU's defense gets a few more stops and their run game limits potential turnovers from Jones. If the turnover margin is 0. I see an OSU win, possibly pretty convincingly. ( not by 21+ like a lot of people on here LOL)

I agree that Cardale is more likely to make a mistake. But the thing is, I think OSU's offense is  better than Oregon's outside of Jones. That is my point. Oregon only scored 2.2 points more per game than Ohio state with a +10 turnover margin and vs inferior defenses. With increased opportunity from turnovers Oregon could only muster 2.2 more points per game with that tempo? OSU turned the ball over twice and was forced to kick a FG after having a first and goal from the 1 vs Alabama and still put 42 points on a defense that is much better than Oregon. If the turnover margin is even, OSU wins. Why? Because the one weakness OSU has is inexperience at QB and a ZERO margin eliminates that advantage.

While Oregon is good on defense, OSU I think has a decent edge and their speed matches up well vs Oregon.

Total defense:

OSU 17th 333.6 ypg

Oregon 84th 421.9

Rush defense:

OSU: 34th 142ypg

Oregon: 49th 156.1

Pass defense

OSU 16th 191.6 ypg

Oregon 108th 265.9

Pass efficiency defense

OSU 4th 104.79

Oregon 50th 123.59

Sacks:

OSU 13th 3.07 per game

Oregon 33rd 2.57

TFL:

OSU 10th 7.5 per game

Oregon: 49th 6.4

Scoring defense:

OSU 26th 22.1 ppg

Oregon 27th 22.3

I think you could say some of OSU's stats are inflated because of the weak offensive schedule they played. But I think you also say Oregon's are padded because of the turnover margin and teams playing from behind. I don't think Oregon is as good vs the run as their stats show, and as bad vs the pass.

Basically the only advantage I have Oregon with is a slight one on offense predicated on Jones' inexperience.

Oregon offense slightly> than OSU's.

But OSU's speed on defense matches up well.

OSU's Defense > Oregon's

OSU's run game bad matchup.

OSU's special teams> Oregon's

coaching OSU> Oregon