Larry Ness
Good Luck...Larry
Ohio St is back for another try in the BCS title game, after getting blown out by Florida last year, 41-14. Once again the Buckeyes come in as the nation's No. 1 ranked team and once again they will face an SEC team (LSU). The big difference though, is that unlike LY when Ohio St was the solid favorite (minus-7 1/2), this time around the Buckeyes are the underdogs. However, one wouldn't know it by the "line movement," as LSU opened a six-point favorite but seemingly ALL of the money has come in on Ohio St! I DON'T understand it? This year's Ohio State is NOT as good as last year's team, as Troy Smith was a much more athletic and dangerous player than this year's starting QB, Todd Boeckman. While Boeckman had a surprisingly good year, he's got little mobility in the pocket and has nowhere near the playmaking ability of Smith. Also note that in his last two games (Illinois and Michigan), he passed for a total of just 206 yards with an 0-4 ratio. He also doesn't have the one-two punch Smith had in WRs Ginn and Gonzalez. While Beanie Wells (1,463) had a great season at RB, he's surely no better than Antonio Pittman. One could make the case that Ohio' St's D is better this year, as it ranks No. 1 in both scoring (10.7 PPG) and total yards (225.3) but then again, one must consider the competition. The Big 10 was CLEARLY down TY (only Michigan has played well in the bowls) and Ohio St's non-conference schedule consisted of Youngstown St (Div I-AA), Akron (4-8), Kent St (3-9) and Washington, which lost NINE of its last 11! Now to LSU. Many think this is the nation's most talented team overall but in fairness, the Tigers did lose to both Kentucky and Arkansas, teams which finished with a collective 10 losses! Granted, both came in triple-OT but the Tigers LOST just the same! However, LSU played NINE bowl-eligible teams TY, yet its defense finished ranked third in the nation YPG, allowing just 283.9. The rush D allowed 103.1 YPG (3.1) and with DT Dorsey back at 100% (that's the claim), the pass rush (32 sacks) should be fearsome. LSU's pass D allowed just 46.4% completions and came up with 21 INTs. Just like LY, Ohio St's offense will NOT be able to cope with LSU's defensive speed, quickness to the ball and overall athleticism! While OSU has a great D itself and has plenty of athletes, the LSU offense has been helped by the layoff, giving underrated QB Matt Flynn time to get healthy. Also don't discount backup Perrilloux's ability to bring a "different look" when he's used at QB. Hester (1,017 / 5.0) leads a running game which averages 218.9 YPG (5.1) and has scored 34 TDs, while the WRs are "better than their numbers," especially with Doucet now healthy. Les Miles has led LSU to two DOMINATING bowl wins since coming to Baton Rogue, beating No. 9 Miami 40-3 in the Peach Bowl two years ago and trashing ND 41-14 in LY's Sugar Bowl. Playing in New Orleans is basically a "home" game for the Tigers and while I don't expect Ohio St to lose by fours TDs (like LY), a two-TD margin seems about right. Weekly Wipeout Winner on LSU.