Ohio State vs Louisiana State

[TRIPLE P]

BCS National Championship Game

Ohio State has had its ups and downs on the Offensive side of the ball.. They started slow as guys learned to play with one another but were really clicking by mid season. Boeckman was playing great, our 2 6'3 WR's were making plays.... everything was going well.

Then the passing game started to sputter. It wasn't until the end of the regular season that it became known that Boeckman had an injured hand he was playing through, and Robiskie the #1 WR had his knee scoped shortly after the Michigan game. With these 2 back healthy I would expect improvements in the passing game.

The one contant has been Beanie Wells.... he too has been injured but as he put it "coach needs me to be a warrior" and he has....bone chips, high ankle sprains, broken hands.... he's played through it all...and played well. The 6'1 235lber with speed to get to the oputside has been a beast all season.... he will be the key to Ohio States offensive success in this game.

Failing to run the ball is what hurt Ohio State last year...when they did, it worked, but they got away from it. Fans and analysts knock Ohio State for not having the speed to match up with Louisiana State... and that may be true. They have a fast defense. But they'll also be facing, likely, the biggest and most powerful OL they have faced...the Buckeye OL averages 6'6 310... and the biggest, most powerful back they've faced (McFadden is amazing, but he's not a power back like Wells...different runners)

On D, LSU is very talented... they have the likely #1 player taken in the NFL draft in Glenn Dorsey...and furthermore he'll be relatively healthy for the first time in a long time. They have playmakers at every level of the D...Highsmith at LB, Zenon in the defensive backfield. They have speed across the board. I imagine they are going to follow the blueprint Florida laid out last year and use that speed to beat out bigger tackles on the outside to attack the QB in the passing game. With a healthy Dorsey it should help shut down Beanie Wells... the key to a Louisiana State victory is shutting down Beanie Wells.

If The Buckeyes can impose thier physicality on the Tigers D it will open up things for our passing game. If they stop Wells and get up early The Tigers should win the game... if they can put The Buckeyes in obvious passing situations it works in thier favor. The Ohio State Offense against the Louisiana D will be the matchup that wins or loses this game.

The Louisiana State offense is lead in the huddle by Matt Flynn, but its heart and soul are with Jacob Hester...a bruising back who is more of a battering ram than a football player... Hester may not have the textbook style of a big time runner...but he's a violent runner who searches out contact and has no fear. If you need 3 yards, he'll get them.

Flynn is a dangerous runner, but is also solid in the passing game. The Tigers have a big time WR in Early Doucet... if Flynn can get the ball in his hands he can makes some plays. He has been dinged up this year and will be healthy for the game.

Flynn however, IMO, may not be 100%. reports out of LSU are that he'll be fine... but they are notoriusly quiet on injury there. Speaking to some Tigers fans I know Flynn had a rotator cuff injury that likely won't be 100% for the title game. It will be better than it was at the end of the year... but he may have some loss of velocity. Louisiana State is a run first team, so thats likely going to be thier focus.

The Ohio State D matches up very well with LSu's O. We have a solid DL, and a brutal pass rusher in Vernon Ghloston. Gholston had a field day against Jake Long of Michigan, a likely top 5 pick in the NFL draft, and LSU's OL isn't the best The Buckeyes have faced this year. Ohio State should be able to get after the QB. The Linebackers from Ohio are also very talented...sideline to sideline guys who are always around the ball. In the defensive backfield you have some hard hitting safeties and 2 CB's who will be first round draft picks in the NFL in Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington. The 3rd corner, Chekwa, is a redshirt freshamn who has played well enough to let the coaching staff use Jenkins, Ohio States best DB, in a variety of positions to use his playmaking ability.

The Ohio State offense against the LSU D is a matchup that favors the Buckeyes.

The battle between the men calling the shots is an interesting one. Tressel vs Miles. I think you'ed be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn't take Tressel over Miles... but Miles style, his firey leadership, and his willingness to take risk can sometime lead to great reward. Tressel is the more battle tested, this being his 3rd BCS title game, 5th BCS bowl, and 9th Championship game overall (with 6 at Youngstown State 1aa) Miles, on the other hand, is seeking legitimacy... its his program now, and a national title would get his name mentioned with the other top coaches in college football.

This game proves to be a great matchup... I would expect a low scoring affair with the team that can run the ball and make a big play off establishing the run to come out ahead. I honestly think this game can go either way...a big play here or there will be the difference.

[Merk]

Who the hell is Louisiana State? :)


No mention of Ryan Perrilloux?

Hes the type of player that seemed to give every big 10 team fits this year

[TRIPLE P]

Who the hell is Louisiana State? :)


No mention of Ryan Perrilloux?

Hes the type of player that seemed to give every big 10 team fits this year

I honestly don't know how much Perriloux is gonna play...he wasn't a very big part of thier offense this year... and Flynn is pretty mobile himself.

I figured someone else could help out with the Louisiana State stuff since I know more about the Buckeyes.... hint hint

[BF_in_Indiana]

Just get those chips ready P.

I'm ready to add to my collection.

[TRIPLE P]

Just get those chips ready P.

I'm ready to add to my collection.

Hahaha...we'll see.

[Merk]

I honestly don't know how much Perriloux is gonna play...he wasn't a very big part of thier offense this year... and Flynn is pretty mobile himself.

I figured someone else could help out with the Louisiana State stuff since I know more about the Buckeyes.... hint hint


The first thing I will say is that LSU will have a nice advantage being that this game is in there back yard. Its pretty much a home game but that also gives OSU the us against the world mentality leading up to the game. OSU first goal should be to take that crowd right of the game.

Mich also did LSU a favor by hiring Rich Rodriguez which means there is no way Les Miles is leaving this year. Which is a big plus b/c the record of Bowl teams that have coaches leaving speaks for itself

Now on to the team

On offense both QB's will see time but Flynn is the one that LSU wants to have a big game. Hes the better passer of the two and a leader of the team. RP will get his snaps though b/c he showed enough in the game against Tenn to warrant some playing time in the title game and the offense is used to seeing both QB's throughout the game. Flynn will get most the snaps early but Miles will ride the hot hand. Both can hurt you w/ there legs but both also like to hurt you w/ the pass first. It will be interesting to see how LSU handles the rotation early

At RB you have J.Hester who is solid in all facets of a RB. He can run catch and block. While he is good at all of them he is not great at anyone of them. Hes a high effort guy who really isnt a threat to break one the distance but every once in a while when teams get lazy w/ arm tackles he will bust one. If he is great in one area it would be short yardage runs. The home run threat at RB on LSU is K.Williams. Hes a cut back runner w/ sneaky speed. He has pretty good vision and soft hands. They like to get screens to him and get him in open space

As far as WR goes Doucet is the best of the bunch. They have a lot of speed but across the board but the passing game really revolves around Doucet and his ability to draw doubles and make explosive plays. The best matchup of this game will be him and Jenkins. at 6'1 212 Doucet is a well built wr w/ good hands and speed. If you take him out early and frustrate him the passing offense for LSU doesnt seem to work as well

There OL is Good but not great. The strength of it and where they like to do most there running is the middle of the OL where they have a lot of beef w/ Arnold(when healthy) Helms at C and H.Johnson at the other guard. They can be exposed at the tackle posistion but since the Middle of the OL is good it allows both there QB to step up into the pocket to avoid it.

On defense

The DL is where the strength of the D lies. They are both big and athletic plus deep across the board. It really revolves around Dorsey though. If OSU cant keep him in check its going to be a long day. He affects both the run and pass game b/c of how much time he spends in the backfield. He cant be blocked one on one which will put pressure on the T's of OSU to keep guys like T.Jackson in check and it wont be easy. LSU also likes Blitz as much as they can. They are big believers in putting pressure on the QB

At LB The leader of the group and the best of the bunch is A.Highsmith. Hes a sideline to sideline LB that is always around the ball. Hes a little on the small side an d can get caught up if OL engage him solidly but hes a playmaker who if his game is on will frustrate the OSU offense. D.Beckwith is the other LSU LB of note who is solid but not spectacular most games

The CB's of this team is where I think there weakness is at even though most think its a strength. They have talent there but they have a bunch of gamblers at the CB spot which is both a plus and a mined. They really thrive on the ability of there front 7 to put pressure on the QB. They make quick moves on the ball. Problem is none of the trio of Zeon, Jackson, and Eugene are really that good at man to man coverage and thats what they have to do when LSU blitzs which they will. All three have the capability to make a big play but will also risk giving up the big play, which they will, to do so. The S's on the team are solid though they make good plays on the ball and are pretty good in Run Support. Steltz is much more athletic than people give him credit for


All and all LSU is pretty solid across the board. They have a lot of explosiveness but they can be real streaky on both sides of the ball. Looking at the game I think OSU hasmuch better matchups then they did last year. Jenkins matches up well against Doucet, I think Robiskie could be in for a big game against thoughs CB's, and Gholston I think could have a field day against there T's if hes on

I expect a much tighter game then last year and the key of this game will be who gets control of the Tempo and keeps it. LSU going to want to extend the game b/c w/ there explosive players they figure the more opportunities they get the better. OSU will want to shorten the game and grind it out on that LSU defense.

[TRIPLE P]

On the road.... spending the night on Bama's campus, then on to New Orleans.... I'll update from the road.

[TRIPLE P]

Tuscaloosa is a cool. campus was fun, and I forgot how smoking hot southern girls are.

[TRIPLE P]

Goin' to the ship!

[TRIPLE P]

The top speed of a Kia Optima (rental) on a flat straightaway is 116 mph

Big Ten Speed.

[TRIPLE P]

gator sausage, crab cakes, and an oyster po-boy.....D-llicious

[sukie]

Did ya have a Hurricane at Pat Obrien's yet?

[WhiteRabbit]

Did ya have a Hurricane at Pat Obrien's yet?

You have to pay a deposit for the glass even if you're inside now ... pretty funny if you ask me.

[TRIPLE P]

Did ya have a Hurricane at Pat Obrien's yet?

I don't know. I was wasted and got lost by myself in a sketchy area.

I'm also kind of an *******, and aparently cursed out a bunch of people

[BF_in_Indiana]

Hopefully some LSU doesn't beat you down in the middle of their celebration tomorrow night.

I'd hate to see you get your ass kicked after your team just suffered the same fate P.

[TRIPLE P]

Hopefully some LSU doesn't beat you down in the middle of their celebration tomorrow night.

I'd hate to see you get your ass kicked after your team just suffered the same fate P.

the lsu fans are really nice. way nicer than buckeye fans... its was WAY pro buckeyes on bourbon st, but it seems the lsu fans have arrived in droves today.

saw lsu leaving there hotel to get on the bus.. booed them and got the buckeye fans chanting at them, and my buddy almost got into a fight.

can't wait until the game.

[jaymitch84]

Don't get so drunk that you forget the game.

Well, it might be possible that you DO want to do that, who knows? hehe

[Merk]

Interesting first half


OSU looked crisp early in all parts of the game and then LSU settled in and has taken over the flow of the game

[Wing Eater]

Once again THE Ohio State University proves it is THE most overrated team in the BCS!

[stepsukie]

Damn you Louz'ana...i bet 300 chips on teh OSU.

[Buffalo1]

Was not too impressed with M. Jenkins but maybe my expectations were too high.

[dmbfn40]

Once again THE Ohio State University proves it is THE most overrated team in the BCS!

Thank you, they had no business being in that game last night.

[Callaway]

NEW ORLEANS -- With the 2007 football season complete, here's the game plan for 2008:

We need border patrols along Interstate 10, from Jacksonville to Pensacola. A Coast Guard blockade at Biscayne Bay. And the FAA should redirect all inbound flights to South Florida from Ohio.

If you see a silver helmet and a sweater vest coming, contact authorities.

Because next year's BCS National Championship Game will be played in Miami, and the Ohio State Buckeyes aren't invited. Especially if the Southeastern Conference champion is invited.

If you've ever seen lions maul a water buffalo, you've seen the last two title games. You've seen a fierce pair of SEC teams -- Florida last year, LSU this year -- blow the vulnerable Buckeyes back to the Bratwurst Belt by a combined 41 points. You've seen the best of one league flex, and the best of an inferior league collapse.

Nobody wants to see it a third time. Give Ohio State credit for consistently being very good -- but until Jim Tressel's team proves it can step up to the highest level of competition and actually stay on the field with an SEC opponent, stay away.

When the program's bowl record is 0-9 against the SEC, the evidence is overwhelming.

Buckeyes fans are fond of breaking into impromptu group spelling bees, shouting out "O-H-I-O." When an SEC team shows up on the other sideline it should be "O-H-N-O."

They're also fond of calling their school The Ohio State University. It might also now be called The Overmatched State University of the BCS.

This time the final score was healthy-and-loaded LSU 38, in-over-its-head Ohio State 24. And it wasn't that close. Once again, the Bucks got their fans excited by scoring early -- ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown last season, jumped out 10-0 this time.

Then, once again, it was time for southern-fried dominance.

Last year the Gators ran off 21 unanswered points to take control. This year the Tigers peeled off 31 straight, scoring five times in six possessions over a 30-minute span, ripping what was statistically the nation's No. 1 defense.

The Buckeyes aided in their own demise by committing a spate of personal-foul penalties. By blowing coverages. By getting a key field goal blocked. By showing neither the composure nor the competitiveness of a champion.

"They didn't fight back like an SEC team would do," said LSU safety Harry Coleman, who filled in superbly for injured All-American Craig Steltz.

The Tigers had no problem fighting back. Down 10-0, they shrugged.

Been there, overcome that -- three times, in fact. They were down 10 against Florida and Auburn and Alabama. All SEC opponents, not coincidentally.

"There's no panic in this team," said coach Les Miles said. "Are you kidding me? We've been down 10 before. We know how to play."

The SEC is not a humble place by any measure. But it ain't braggin' if you can back it up -- and especially if you can back-to-back it up, as Florida and LSU have done.

"They're used to playing in tough games week-in and week-out," said SEC commissioner Mike Slive, between sideline fist pumps after LSU's final touchdown of the night. "They're used to playing in what I call the crucible."

The Big Ten, by contrast, has been the baby's crib. Ohio State has coasted through that league 15-1 the past two seasons, only to collapse in the face of an SEC champ with a lower BCS ranking and a worse record.

"I don't think it was easy," said LSU offensive tackle Carnell Stewart. "But they let momentum get to them, and their heads were gone."

How much negative momentum had the Buckeyes encountered in strolling to their 11-1 record? How much adversity had they overcome? Almost none.

They were tied with Wisconsin heading into the fourth quarter before pulling away. (The Badgers, by the way, lost to SEC opponent Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.) In their only other serious second-half fight, they seized up and lost at home to Illinois. (The Illini, by the way, were nudged by 32 in the Rose Bowl.)

So, no, the Buckeyes weren't ready for what LSU threw at them. Not ready to win the battle in the trenches, not ready to match speed on the perimeter, not ready to calmly and smartly execute under a mountain of pressure. LSU figured to be better at a majority of positions but wound up better at virtually every position but running back.

Combine that lack of toughening with vivid memories of the destruction in the desert against Florida and you know why so many of us were concerned about Ohio State's fitness for this battle. Especially if you saw a fully loaded LSU from earlier in the season, before the SEC wars began wearing it down.

"We played the best ball in the country," said defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, physically capable of playing a full game for the first time in months. "We have big games week after week."

That was more or less what Miles said back in July, popping off about the strength of the SEC in comparison to other leagues. On the season's final night, his players backed up the talk.

"In this conference, week after week, you're going to play quality-coached, very talented teams and you're going to have to play your best," Miles said. "And so I think it puts the champion of this conference in position to compete in a very competitive game like this with an advantage."

Ohio State, meanwhile, now symbolizes the pigskin Peter Principle. The Buckeyes have achieved just enough the past two seasons to rise to a level where they're incompetent.

It's a tough thing, putting together an overachieving season and seeing it end in embarrassing fashion. Especially since the Buckeyes know what this means -- another year of "S-E-C" chants and barbs about flopping on the big stage.

"I worry about disappointment because I know how hard these kids work," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't worry too much about criticism, because if you're not tough enough to handle criticism, then you better get out of this game. … There's a whole lot of people that don't really have much understanding of what it takes to be good at this game but yet love to have opinions.

"If you struggle to take criticism, then you need not be at Ohio State or not be playing the game of football."

Well, good. At least Tressel knows what he's in for.

And he should know not to bring that weak Big Ten stuff back to the BCS National Championship Game again next year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3186010&sportCat=ncf

[Callaway]

Looks like yet again Ohio State finds out that lifes not so easy when your not facing the Shit 10 week in and week out. Which for anyone with a clue and 2 good eyes knew was a joke of a conference this year


Haha....and why is any other conference any better? Where are the SEC's big wins? Who's even good in the SEC? Not Florida. LSU is talented, but Myles couldn't coach his way out of a wet sweatervest. Where are anyone elses big wins?


How good a coach is Miles now?

hahahahahahahhahaha

Where are all the big 10 signature wins?? Was its second best team losing to a double A school or getting there doors blown off by a PAC 10 team. Wheres Ohio States signature Wins??? All they have done is beat other shity Big 10 teams. So please keep your head firmly planted up your ass and keep thinking that the Big 10 is anything this year. You dont have the athletes to keep up with the Pac 10 or the SEC. Florida showed it last year and you will get shown a simular helping this year



Athletes? Are you kidding? Do you watch football?

Thats the point...where are ANYONES signature wins? There isn't a great team out there...but there are a few that haven't lost yet... In a year where there are tons of upsets the team at the top is gonna be the team that doesn't get upset. Yeah we played some crappy teams...but guess what, we didn't lose to them.

Last year was a fluke... plain and simple... bad day for OSU, good day for florida.... they were a great team...but not that great.

Are you stupid? Really? We're slow? So all the top flight recruits we get from all over the country who were fast in HS...the same guys all the SEC schools recruit, and the same guys the PAC-10 guys recruit all get slow when they sign with the buckeyes....

I watched LSU/Bama this saturday...not impressed...LSU isn't that good. I watched AzSt this weekend....wow...big deal. You have no leg to stand on.

The "SEC Speed" argument is crap.... always has been, always will be....




Yup! I'm the one that doesnt know what I'm watching :rolleyes: Ohio State clearly has the same type of athletes and speed on there team hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Keep those blind homer glasses nice and polished ;)

[twosheds]

Once again THE Ohio State University proves it is THE most overrated team in the BCS!

Just because Notre Dame didn't make it for once. :D

[jaymitch84]

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