Arkansas
3rd SEC10-2
Ohio State
3rd Big Ten11-1
Arkansas @ Ohio State preview
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The Skinny: A fan-pleasing shootout may be on the horizon in this game, as both teams bring loads of offensive weapons into the contest.
No. 6 Ohio State (11-1), which is playing in its sixth consecutive BCS bowl and its ninth overall, averages 39.4 points and No. 8 Arkansas (10-2) averages 37.3 points. The factor which may determine this game is defense; Ohio State has allowed an average of 9.5 fewer points than Arkansas.
Ohio State brings a balanced attack, and the Buckeyes have outgained the opposition by an average of 141.7 yards over the last 17 games. Arkansas will throw under any and all conditions, which makes the Razorbacks a difficult opponent to put away.
Will the Buckeyes be distracted? News broke in late December that five players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, have been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season but will be allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl. The players sold championship rings, awards and jerseys in exchange for tattoos from a local parlor.
Point Spread: Ohio State -3.5. Over/under – 57.5.
Ohio State's Edge: The Silver Bullet Defense is one of the nation's best, ranking second in total defense (250.6 yards) and third in scoring defense (13.3 points). The Buckeyes have limited six opponents to 10 or fewer points, including rival Michigan, which managed only seven. All-American Chimdi Chekwa leads the team with three interceptions and has 42 tackles and two forced fumbles. Brian Rolle leads with 70 tackles, 10 of them for loss, and Nathan Williams has four sacks.
Arkansas' Edge: The Hogs can put points on the board; they've scored no fewer than 31 points in their last seven games — all but one against stiff SEC competition. They rank third in the nation in passing offense thanks to quarterback Ryan Mallett and six receivers with at least 27 catches. The top pass catchers include: D.J. Williams (49 receptions, four TDs) and Joe Adams (41 catches, five TDs).
The Quarterbacks: Ohio State's Pryor is a dangerous man with a football in his hands. He's a passing threat (2,551 yards, 25 TDs) and a running threat (639 yards, four TDs). Pryor needs only 18 yards rushing to become the school's career rushing leader among quarterbacks.
Arkansas's Ryan Mallett completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns. The redshirt junior (a transfer from Michigan) already holds the school record for touchdown passes.
NFL Prospects: Ohio State — DE Cameron Heyward, CB Chimdi Chekwa, FS Jermale Hines, OLB Ross Homan. Arkansas – QB Ryan Mallett, OT DeMarcus Love, TE D.J. Williams.
Bowl history: Ohio State is 19-22 all-time in bowl games and broke a three-game bowl losing streak last year by winning the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes haven’t been to the Sugar Bowl since 1998, when they defeated Texas A&M 24-14.
Arkansas is appearing in the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1969, when it lost a 27-22 decision to Ole Miss. The Razorbacks are 12-22-3 all-time in bowl games. Arkansas beat East Carolina 20-17 in overtime to win the 2009 Liberty Bowl.
Etc.: Ohio State cornerback Corey Brown is out for the year with a knee injury. Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway dislocated an ankle against South Carolina, but could return for the Sugar Bowl. Wide receiver Greg Childs isn't expected back after having surgery to repair a patella tendon earlier this season.
No. 6 Ohio State (11-1), which is playing in its sixth consecutive BCS bowl and its ninth overall, averages 39.4 points and No. 8 Arkansas (10-2) averages 37.3 points. The factor which may determine this game is defense; Ohio State has allowed an average of 9.5 fewer points than Arkansas.
Ohio State brings a balanced attack, and the Buckeyes have outgained the opposition by an average of 141.7 yards over the last 17 games. Arkansas will throw under any and all conditions, which makes the Razorbacks a difficult opponent to put away.
Will the Buckeyes be distracted? News broke in late December that five players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, have been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season but will be allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl. The players sold championship rings, awards and jerseys in exchange for tattoos from a local parlor.
Point Spread: Ohio State -3.5. Over/under – 57.5.
Ohio State's Edge: The Silver Bullet Defense is one of the nation's best, ranking second in total defense (250.6 yards) and third in scoring defense (13.3 points). The Buckeyes have limited six opponents to 10 or fewer points, including rival Michigan, which managed only seven. All-American Chimdi Chekwa leads the team with three interceptions and has 42 tackles and two forced fumbles. Brian Rolle leads with 70 tackles, 10 of them for loss, and Nathan Williams has four sacks.
Arkansas' Edge: The Hogs can put points on the board; they've scored no fewer than 31 points in their last seven games — all but one against stiff SEC competition. They rank third in the nation in passing offense thanks to quarterback Ryan Mallett and six receivers with at least 27 catches. The top pass catchers include: D.J. Williams (49 receptions, four TDs) and Joe Adams (41 catches, five TDs).
The Quarterbacks: Ohio State's Pryor is a dangerous man with a football in his hands. He's a passing threat (2,551 yards, 25 TDs) and a running threat (639 yards, four TDs). Pryor needs only 18 yards rushing to become the school's career rushing leader among quarterbacks.
Arkansas's Ryan Mallett completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns. The redshirt junior (a transfer from Michigan) already holds the school record for touchdown passes.
NFL Prospects: Ohio State — DE Cameron Heyward, CB Chimdi Chekwa, FS Jermale Hines, OLB Ross Homan. Arkansas – QB Ryan Mallett, OT DeMarcus Love, TE D.J. Williams.
Bowl history: Ohio State is 19-22 all-time in bowl games and broke a three-game bowl losing streak last year by winning the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes haven’t been to the Sugar Bowl since 1998, when they defeated Texas A&M 24-14.
Arkansas is appearing in the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1969, when it lost a 27-22 decision to Ole Miss. The Razorbacks are 12-22-3 all-time in bowl games. Arkansas beat East Carolina 20-17 in overtime to win the 2009 Liberty Bowl.
Etc.: Ohio State cornerback Corey Brown is out for the year with a knee injury. Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway dislocated an ankle against South Carolina, but could return for the Sugar Bowl. Wide receiver Greg Childs isn't expected back after having surgery to repair a patella tendon earlier this season.