Cavaliers Preview Game #21
December 9, 2008A Night For The Record Books
December 9, 2008
While it should come as no big surprise that the Buckeyes were chosen to play in the Fiesta Bowl, it did disappoint at least one fan. Namely me. I guess we don’t get everything we want do we?
The Longhorns come into the game with a huge chip on their shoulders, having been denied the right to play for the Big 12 title. No doubt that will be looking to show that they should have been afforded the right to play against Florida for the national championship. Colt McCoy could also be looking to prove some Heisman voters wrong as well. Don’t get me wrong, you can’t be scared to play anyone. If you want your team to be the best, you are going to have to beat quality competition.
What I wanted to see was this group take on an SEC opponent. I wanted the opportunity to get that monkey off our backs. I’d have much rather played Alabama, or LSU, Georgia or Auburn for that matter. We all know that the Buckeyes have struggled to get a W when playing ‘the mighty SEC’, and I thought this would be the perfect chance to try and stop that slide. Alas, it is not to be this season.
If the Buckeyes are to beat Texas, they will have to stop a very potent offense. While OSU’s defense has been rock solid this season (other than the USC game) they will also have to reverse a little history to come out on top. The last two bowl games have not been kind to James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins and the rest of the Buckeye seniors. Lopsided losses to LSU and Florida have raised lingering questions about OSU’s team speed and their ability to slow down top offenses.
Will they rise to the challenge? We’ll find out in about a month.
9 Comments
Not only does Texas have a potent offense, they also have a hell of a run defense. I know they haven’t seen a backfield like Beanie/Pryor but at the same time Pryor isn’t exactly Graham Harrell when it comes to throwing either.
I’m not sure that I’m even guardedly optimistic about this matchup, I know Texas hasn’t faced a D like the Buckeyes, but the only times the Buckeyes have faced potent defenses they lost. Texas has the ability to force the Bucks to put up points and to be one-dimensional, which isn’t really what the team has proven to excel at this year.
Yeah I don’t see OSU winning this one at all. The spread is 10 pts. I’m willing to bet Texas makes OSU look pitiful on national tv just like every other good football team does.
Texas’ run defense is a little overrated, their numbers are good for two reasons. One, teams in the Big 12 throw a lot more than they run, and two, Texas has raced out to big leads in a lot of their games, which results in teams not running the ball anymore
I think OSU has the ability to win this game. Texas doesn’t run the ball all that well, so if we can keep their offense one dimensional we will have a chance. Also, the past two years in bowl games we have seen Tressel shy away from the running game when it is usually our biggest strength. With Wells and Herron we have two backs who can help us control the game clock and keep McCoy and that offense off the field.
I also think that TP will improve a fair amount in the ensuing weeks. Its like another training camp, and for a freshman QB that can be very valuable
Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I really think OSU has a good chance to win this game. An A game by OSU will ensure that it at least will not be a blowout
This was the last matchup I wanted for Ohio State. As you said, Texas has a lot they’ll want to prove in this game. But I know points can be scored on Texas (just ask Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Okla. St, Baylor, all who scored more than 20 points on them) and frankly they haven’t faced a defense as tough as Ohio State’s this season (Oklahoma was the best D they faced and they’re ranked 65th in total defense). If Tressel can channel the whole “no one believes in us” thing they might get somewhere. But Pryor really needs to grow up fast.
I personally love this matchup. Two classic traditional football powers. Similar histories, they come from very similar cities. I think this is a terrific challenge for OSU and a chance to prove that they are still a relevant college football power. Texas are huge favorites, and with good reason, but for OSU, this game is about opportunity. A chance for these seniors to rewrite their legacy a bit. I’m pumped for this game.
this game also happens to be on my birthday. hopefully it will be a happy one. go buckeyes!
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Texas has faced the following defenses:
Rank Team
No. 66 Oklahoma
No. 71 Texas Tech
No. 72 Arkansas
No. 78 Colorado
No. 85 Oklahoma State
No. 86 Baylor
No. 91 Missouri
No. 96 Kansas
No. 113 Texas A&M
No. 114 Rice
No. 115 UTEP
Ohio State is ranked .. 8th
You may say this is because of the potency of Big 12 offenses, but I believe that a good defense will trump a good offense any day.
In addition: OSU is 5-0 against the Big 12 in Bowl games and 28-4-1 overall.
I really think the B12 gets exposed this bowl season. The only OOC tests they have had this year was Texas playing Arkansas, and Mizzou playing Illinois.
I’d much rather have this match-up than say, Utah, where we would have really nothing to gain and everything to lose.
BTW, I have diabetes.
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