Just my $.02 as a resident Buckeye.
Anytime I see OSU as a high 20's fav, I look to play the other side as they historically do not fare well. Evidenced by games in my recent memory:
in 2001:
-23 v. San Diego St won 27-12 (down 12-6 in mid 3rd)
-26 v. Akron won 28-14
in 2000:
-22 v. Miami won 27-16 (was 20-16 and Mia blew aTD chance late)
in 1999:
-24 v. Iowa won 41-11 (only cover in this sample)
-33 v. Cincinnati won 34-20
-43 v. Ohio U won 40-16 (I don't think OSU has scored more than 43 much the last few years, and certainly not the 50+ to cover 43)
There are no stats to go on for this year since both games are skewed. Kent beat a lower level team 34-7 with Cribbs running wild and OSU and Claussen ran wild while the D shut down the passing attack.
OSU defense showed it can stop the pass, but can it deal with a running qb? I think the answer may be yes, from the buckeyenut.com I found this info: "Cribbs gets his chance in a few days, but he'll have to do it against one of the best defenses in the nation. The Buckeyes held Randle-El to 67 yards on 11 carries last year in a 27-14 win. In a 31-28 win over Minnesota, Abdul-Khaliq had 43 rushing yards on nine carries and threw for 120 yards with an interception. "
In conclusion, there is no question which team has the decided edge. The question is can Cribbs running be shut down, if the answer is yes, they may get shutout. I think that we may show a little more of the pass this week and we still have a couple runners that have not been shown yet. The line opened at 31', it is 28 now, I think if I can get under the 28 I will be on it. I would also like a FH at -14 but that is just a pipedream I fear.
Something else to look for, if it is close at half, look for OSU to blow them out in the 2H, if they are already up a bundle 21-28, look for them to give some sympathy and possibly take Kent + some points in 2H.
Good Luck!
Anytime I see OSU as a high 20's fav, I look to play the other side as they historically do not fare well. Evidenced by games in my recent memory:
in 2001:
-23 v. San Diego St won 27-12 (down 12-6 in mid 3rd)
-26 v. Akron won 28-14
in 2000:
-22 v. Miami won 27-16 (was 20-16 and Mia blew aTD chance late)
in 1999:
-24 v. Iowa won 41-11 (only cover in this sample)
-33 v. Cincinnati won 34-20
-43 v. Ohio U won 40-16 (I don't think OSU has scored more than 43 much the last few years, and certainly not the 50+ to cover 43)
There are no stats to go on for this year since both games are skewed. Kent beat a lower level team 34-7 with Cribbs running wild and OSU and Claussen ran wild while the D shut down the passing attack.
OSU defense showed it can stop the pass, but can it deal with a running qb? I think the answer may be yes, from the buckeyenut.com I found this info: "Cribbs gets his chance in a few days, but he'll have to do it against one of the best defenses in the nation. The Buckeyes held Randle-El to 67 yards on 11 carries last year in a 27-14 win. In a 31-28 win over Minnesota, Abdul-Khaliq had 43 rushing yards on nine carries and threw for 120 yards with an interception. "
In conclusion, there is no question which team has the decided edge. The question is can Cribbs running be shut down, if the answer is yes, they may get shutout. I think that we may show a little more of the pass this week and we still have a couple runners that have not been shown yet. The line opened at 31', it is 28 now, I think if I can get under the 28 I will be on it. I would also like a FH at -14 but that is just a pipedream I fear.
Something else to look for, if it is close at half, look for OSU to blow them out in the 2H, if they are already up a bundle 21-28, look for them to give some sympathy and possibly take Kent + some points in 2H.
Good Luck!
