Both the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes are sharing disappointment.
Let’s face it folks. Texas got screwed. They’re one of the few remaining 1 loss teams in the country worthy of going to the National Championship game. But they’re not because Oklahoma, who Texas beat, ran the score up on teams that were considered ”style points”. Texas didn’t even get the chance to play in the Big 12 Championship Game because of the stupid tie-breakers the Big 12 has.
This was supposed to be the Buckeyes “year” to finally break through and win the National Championship game in Todd Boeckman’s senior season at QB. Instead OSU went 10-2 with a blowout loss to USC and a tough, close loss to Penn State. Freshman Terrelle Pryor, not Todd Boeckman, was at the helm for most of the season which gave him valuable experience for the future.
Both of these teams are now paired up in the Fiesta Bowl in a marquee BCS game.
When Texas has the ball: We know how good the Texas offense is. We know how good Colt McCoy is. However, we know how good the Ohio State defense is as well. This will be the toughest defense Texas has faced all season but we all know that’s not saying much. This will also be the toughest offense the OSU defense has faced as Texas averages 43.2 points a game.
To state the obvious, the key for the Bucks is to at least contain Colt McCoy which is obviously easier said than done. Even though McCoy is mobile and can run but the OSU defensive line and linebackers need to be the the difference in applying pressure on him all game long. When the OSU defense can do this, it’s when they’re on their best game. You saw that against MSU, PSU, and other teams this season. Make Colt McCoy a non-factor and you beat the Texas offense. However, it’ll be a tough task to do as this is one of the best offenses in the country. At the same time though, McCoy doesn’t have any big-time WR’s to count on so the OSU secondary led by Malcolm Jenkins shouldn’t be burned by anybody.
When Ohio State has the ball: Ohio State can score on this Texas D. They have the tools to do so. Terrelle Pyror can pass and run. Beanie Wells will run you over and can fly past ya. Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline are top threats in the passing game. But for OSU’s offense, they need Jim Tressel to loosen up the gameplan a bit and not be conservative. If OSU does go conservative, watch out for the Longhorn D to make them pay. This is a big reason why OSU loses these big games. Never really goes for the throat too often and it costs him.
Just like the key for the OSU D is to stop Colt McCoy, it’s equally as key as for Terrelle Pryor to have a big game. He’s had a good freshman season so far throwing for over 1200 yards in ten games this season. Pryor has shown the ability to throw and run the ball effectively and he’ll need to be able to do both in the Fiesta Bowl. If Pryor is on his game, watch out. However, if Pryor plays like a freshman, which he hasn’t all season, it could be a long day for the OSU offense.
Prediction: Though I would love to see an OSU upset to bump the Big Ten rep up because the conference needs it…Texas 30-Ohio State 23.
December 22, 2008 at 10:20 am |
Well, I don’t think Texas has seen a back like Beanie this year. AND, Beanie will be looking to cement a top-five draft status. So, with any play at all from our O-line (I know, wishful thinking.), Beanie may turn in a day like he did against Michigan last year.
BUT, any success of that would depend on at least a token passing game, something that I am not sure TP can do. I have yet to see him check off more than one time before pulling it down and running.
Dear Tress, please dial up some play-action and convince us that you are actually capable of calling a big game….