Congrats to Batman for winning the Guest Panel Bowl Game Challenge. He will receive a certificate and an Ohio State t-shirt. Thanks to the entire guest panel for picking teams and providing commentary for the entire bowl season.
Check back in late August for another installment of the Guest Panel. If you want to join the panel be sure to contact me in August.
1. Batman (21-13)
2. Team Big Dog (19-15)
3. Nostrapigskinus (18-16)
3. Buckeye Cock (18-16)
5. Old Bag of Man (17-17)
6. Hudy Delights (16-18)
6. Philly Cheese (16-18)
8. Spam Sandwichsan (14-20)
8. Pat Head (14-20)
8. Mr. Potayta Head (14-20)
11. Dr. Funkenstein (13-21)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
What to Expect
Many of my points were made in the "5 Keys" posting. On paper and according to Vegas, Texas should win this matchup. I am a bit biased, and perhaps a bit optimistic, but I think OSU has a good shot at this game. I think OSU has the mental edge entering the game, as Texas did not have a chance to play in the Big 12 Championship game or in the National Championship game. Some experts think Texas could make a case for a split title (AP does not have to vote with BCS) with a big win over OSU and a win by Oklahoma, however I think the win by undefeated Utah had to deflate that balloon a bit. If any team gets votes for first place in the AP poll, outside of the winner of the BCS game, Utah would likely be the team.
Assuming OSU can achieve most of the five keys, OSU should be in the game with Texas. Texas allows teams to throw the ball and to score, which presents OSU with the opportunity to move the ball through the air and put some points up. Although, OSU can't get into a shoot-out, the defense needs to slow down Texas. OSU needs to control the clock, burning minutes with the run. OSU needs to give Texas a long field on every punt and kick-off. Lastly, OSU needs to show the nation that the Buckeyes and the Big Ten can compete on the big stage.
Assuming OSU can achieve most of the five keys, OSU should be in the game with Texas. Texas allows teams to throw the ball and to score, which presents OSU with the opportunity to move the ball through the air and put some points up. Although, OSU can't get into a shoot-out, the defense needs to slow down Texas. OSU needs to control the clock, burning minutes with the run. OSU needs to give Texas a long field on every punt and kick-off. Lastly, OSU needs to show the nation that the Buckeyes and the Big Ten can compete on the big stage.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Keys to the Game
I see five keys to this game.
1. Beanie has success early-Texas may have a good run defense, but even Coach Mack Brown has been quoted as saying the stat is a bit skewed based upon the passing teams Texas has faced. Coach Brown has also said Texas has not faced a running team like OSU this season. For any success on the offense, OSU must run the ball well and have success early in the game. Beanie should be as close to 100% as we have seen him since the first game. Beanie does not have the constraint of the boot protecting his toe, so he should be able to open it up a little bit. Beanie is also likely leaving after this season, so he will want to show his stuff to the NFL folks (although they are already impressed.) I think the running of Pryor will be limited.
2. Early success in the passing game-OSU has tried the run-run-run strategy in previous big stage games, and the defense has adjusted and loaded up the box. OSU must have some success in the passing, to keep the defense honest. Since passing is so important, I think this opens the door for Boeckman to get some quality minutes early in the game, assuming the line can protect the QB (read below.)
3. O-Line does a decent job-The O-line has really been a problem in previous big stage games, which has not allowed the QB to establish the passing game. The line has been shuffled all season, and unfortunately it was shuffled again this week. Hopefully the unit can come together and give Pryor and Boeckman time. If the line continues to struggle, Pryor will get all of the minutes, and obviously he will be scrambling quite a bit.
4. Defense pressures and frustrates McCoy-McCoy had little pressure for most of the season, which allowed him to have a record season and complete an incredible number and percentage of passes. The 2006 game between OSU and Texas showed that McCoy can be pressured and he will make mistakes due to the frustration. The defense needs to pressure McCoy and keep him under 60%. OSU must get into the backfield early in the game and often.
5. OSU shows up ready to play-OSU needs to be ready to play at kick-off. The high powered offense of Texas will not allow OSU to start out slow and try to catch up in the second half.
1. Beanie has success early-Texas may have a good run defense, but even Coach Mack Brown has been quoted as saying the stat is a bit skewed based upon the passing teams Texas has faced. Coach Brown has also said Texas has not faced a running team like OSU this season. For any success on the offense, OSU must run the ball well and have success early in the game. Beanie should be as close to 100% as we have seen him since the first game. Beanie does not have the constraint of the boot protecting his toe, so he should be able to open it up a little bit. Beanie is also likely leaving after this season, so he will want to show his stuff to the NFL folks (although they are already impressed.) I think the running of Pryor will be limited.
2. Early success in the passing game-OSU has tried the run-run-run strategy in previous big stage games, and the defense has adjusted and loaded up the box. OSU must have some success in the passing, to keep the defense honest. Since passing is so important, I think this opens the door for Boeckman to get some quality minutes early in the game, assuming the line can protect the QB (read below.)
3. O-Line does a decent job-The O-line has really been a problem in previous big stage games, which has not allowed the QB to establish the passing game. The line has been shuffled all season, and unfortunately it was shuffled again this week. Hopefully the unit can come together and give Pryor and Boeckman time. If the line continues to struggle, Pryor will get all of the minutes, and obviously he will be scrambling quite a bit.
4. Defense pressures and frustrates McCoy-McCoy had little pressure for most of the season, which allowed him to have a record season and complete an incredible number and percentage of passes. The 2006 game between OSU and Texas showed that McCoy can be pressured and he will make mistakes due to the frustration. The defense needs to pressure McCoy and keep him under 60%. OSU must get into the backfield early in the game and often.
5. OSU shows up ready to play-OSU needs to be ready to play at kick-off. The high powered offense of Texas will not allow OSU to start out slow and try to catch up in the second half.
Scouting the Longhorns
QB
Third year starter Colt McCoy set school records this year with 2445 yards and 32 touchdowns and a NCAA record 77.6% completion rate. McCoy was second in the Heisman voting, losing to conference foe Oklahoma QB Bradford. He had seven interceptions during the season. The mobile QB led the team with 576 yards and was second on the team with 10 rushing TDs.
Receivers
The two leading receivers are Shipley and Cosby, each with over 900 yards. Shipley has known McCoy since they were kids, in fact their fathers were roommates and played together at Division II Abilene Christian. Shipley did not go to same high school as McCoy, but both received scholarships from Texas. Shipley, a year older than McCoy, was injured in his first year, missing the 2004 and 2005 seasons. McCoy sat out his first year in 2005, while Vince Young led the Longhorns to the National Title. Also catching balls for Texas are Ogdonnaya, Collins, and Williams. Shipley is the main kick returner with 312 yards, an average of 28.4 yards/return, and one touchdown.
Defense
The D-Line is led by DE Orakpo, member of All-America first team and winner of the Naurski (top defensive player), Lombardi (top lineman), and the Hendricks (best defensive end.) He had 38 tackles, 16.5 for loss, and 10.5 sacks. The Longhorns as a team led the nation with 44 sacks. Although the Longhorns did not face any teams with a strong running game, the unit still was second in the nation allowing only 73.6 yards/game. The unit did struggle against the pass, allowing 266 yards/game through the air.
This Season
In the first five games Texas blew past Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Rice, Arkansas, and Colorado. The first challenge was Oklahoma at home, a game the Longhorns won 45-35. In that game Texas had to come back in the second half with 25 points to pull off the victory, and take its place at #1. The Missouri game was a blowout at halftime, and despite the fact that Texas allowed Missouri to score 28 in the second half, Texas won 56-31. Texas was behind Oklahoma State at halftime. In that game McCoy threw for close to 400 yards, Texas had two turnovers, but in the end Texas won 28-24 by forcing a field goal instead of a touchdown by Oklahoma State. During the next game, #1 Texas lost due to a last minute touchdown toss. In that game McCoy was able to bring his team from behind, but he was outplayed by Tech's QB who had 474 yards and the incredible touchdown at the end. The first half of the Baylor game remained interesting, mostly because McCoy threw two interceptions, but Texas took control and cruised to a 45-21 victory. Texas started out slow with only 14 in the first half, but 21 points in the third quarter separated them from Kansas and led to the 35-7 victory. In an apparent effort to sway BCS voters, Texas ran up the score in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M, adding 21 points in the last quarter, winning the game 49-9. Unfortunately for Texas, under conference rules (agreed upon by each school), the tie breaker sent Oklahoma to the Big 12 Championship. Texas did a lot of lobbying for BCS voting, as that was the tiebreaker, but they did not succeed. With Oklahoma winning the Big 12 Championship, Texas also missed shot at the National Championship game.
Third year starter Colt McCoy set school records this year with 2445 yards and 32 touchdowns and a NCAA record 77.6% completion rate. McCoy was second in the Heisman voting, losing to conference foe Oklahoma QB Bradford. He had seven interceptions during the season. The mobile QB led the team with 576 yards and was second on the team with 10 rushing TDs.
Receivers
The two leading receivers are Shipley and Cosby, each with over 900 yards. Shipley has known McCoy since they were kids, in fact their fathers were roommates and played together at Division II Abilene Christian. Shipley did not go to same high school as McCoy, but both received scholarships from Texas. Shipley, a year older than McCoy, was injured in his first year, missing the 2004 and 2005 seasons. McCoy sat out his first year in 2005, while Vince Young led the Longhorns to the National Title. Also catching balls for Texas are Ogdonnaya, Collins, and Williams. Shipley is the main kick returner with 312 yards, an average of 28.4 yards/return, and one touchdown.
Defense
The D-Line is led by DE Orakpo, member of All-America first team and winner of the Naurski (top defensive player), Lombardi (top lineman), and the Hendricks (best defensive end.) He had 38 tackles, 16.5 for loss, and 10.5 sacks. The Longhorns as a team led the nation with 44 sacks. Although the Longhorns did not face any teams with a strong running game, the unit still was second in the nation allowing only 73.6 yards/game. The unit did struggle against the pass, allowing 266 yards/game through the air.
This Season
In the first five games Texas blew past Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Rice, Arkansas, and Colorado. The first challenge was Oklahoma at home, a game the Longhorns won 45-35. In that game Texas had to come back in the second half with 25 points to pull off the victory, and take its place at #1. The Missouri game was a blowout at halftime, and despite the fact that Texas allowed Missouri to score 28 in the second half, Texas won 56-31. Texas was behind Oklahoma State at halftime. In that game McCoy threw for close to 400 yards, Texas had two turnovers, but in the end Texas won 28-24 by forcing a field goal instead of a touchdown by Oklahoma State. During the next game, #1 Texas lost due to a last minute touchdown toss. In that game McCoy was able to bring his team from behind, but he was outplayed by Tech's QB who had 474 yards and the incredible touchdown at the end. The first half of the Baylor game remained interesting, mostly because McCoy threw two interceptions, but Texas took control and cruised to a 45-21 victory. Texas started out slow with only 14 in the first half, but 21 points in the third quarter separated them from Kansas and led to the 35-7 victory. In an apparent effort to sway BCS voters, Texas ran up the score in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M, adding 21 points in the last quarter, winning the game 49-9. Unfortunately for Texas, under conference rules (agreed upon by each school), the tie breaker sent Oklahoma to the Big 12 Championship. Texas did a lot of lobbying for BCS voting, as that was the tiebreaker, but they did not succeed. With Oklahoma winning the Big 12 Championship, Texas also missed shot at the National Championship game.
The Coaches
Jim Tressel
In his eighth season at OSU, he has a record of 83-18. In his 23rd year of his coaching career, including time at YSU, he is 218-75-2. He has guided OSU to one national championship. He is 1-1 against Texas and Mack Brown.
Mack Brown
He is 114-26 in his 10th year at Texas, and 200-100-1 overall. His previous head coaching positions included Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. He was born in Tennessee, attended Vanderbilt and eventually graduated from Florida State. He was a running back for both schools. He started his coaching career at Florida State in 1974. He is 1-1 against Ohio State and Jim Tressel.
The Series
This will be only the third matchup between the storied programs of Ohio State and Texas, with the series split 1-1. OSU won most recently in 2006 at Austin, 24-7, behind eventual Heisman winner Troy Smith. In that game Smith was 17 of 26 for 269 yards, against a veteran Texas defense. The young OSU defense had big plays as Laurinaitis forced a fumble and intercepted Colt McCoy. Donald Washington scooped up the lost fumble and ran it 49-yards. The young AJ Trapasso also excelled with a 50.8 average on punts.
OSU lost in Columbus in 2005, in a tight game 25-22. Click here for a recap of that game. Ohio State is 27-4-1 against teams from the Big 12, having lost to Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas along with a tie against Missouri. OSU is 5-0 against the Big 12 in bowl games, defeating Texas A&M twice, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Colorado State once each.
OSU lost in Columbus in 2005, in a tight game 25-22. Click here for a recap of that game. Ohio State is 27-4-1 against teams from the Big 12, having lost to Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas along with a tie against Missouri. OSU is 5-0 against the Big 12 in bowl games, defeating Texas A&M twice, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Colorado State once each.
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