Everyone needs to stop knocking on what Ohio State has done on the football field. They have played in seven BCS bowl games this decade. They have wont he Big Ten for four straight seasons. They have a national title while playing for two others. The only games they have lost in the past four seasons have been to teams that finished either in the top 10 nationally or in a BCS bowl. The last time Ohio State lost to a team that didn’t play in the BCS was in November 2004 at Purdue. Everyone gets on their case because they have lost three straight BCS games, two of them being the national title game. Before that, the Buckeyes were 4-0 in the BCS era. Few teams have as much sustained success as the Buckeyes, and they are once again favored to win the Big Ten.

Unfortunately, last year was supposed to be the year. They had a senior-laden defense that struggled against a very good USC team. The offense then couldn’t score against Penn State and any hope of the national title was lost. It is a cruel fate, but because the Buckeyes have had so much success within the Big Ten they unfortunately must win it all or the season is a failure. They no longer have the luxury of middle ground or a rebuilding year, especially since their rebuilding years are so good. Such will be the case this year.

Image: Newscom

Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Prior is talented enough to make sure that Ohio State maintains its 53 game winning streak against teams that don’t play in BCS bowls for that season. There is a reason that teams like Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan tried desperately to woo Prior to campus. He is a difference maker that can do anything he wants to with a football. He came on the scene during a blowout loss at Southern Cal last season and could make a huge difference by playing the whole game against the Trojans in Columbus this year. Dan Herron and Brandon Saine ware good running backs to build around as well. Ohio State’s offense has long thrived on ball control and keeping the other team off the field. The Buckeyes should be able to do while still maintaining a big play element with its receivers.

The defense has a number of holes to fill, but Ohio State always has players that are ready to step in and play. Thaddeus Gibson is the type of defensive end that eats left tackles for breakfast and gives quarterbacks nightmares. The defensive tackles are more than good enough to hold themselves against the run and allow the ends to get to the quarterback. Austin Spitler is the next great Ohio State linebacker, while Chimdi Chekwa is a fantastic cornerback to lead the secondary. Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell are safeties that can play against both the run and the pass. The defense may step back just a bit, but it is still more than good enough to beat most teams.

Aaron Richardson is a sports writer for www.sportsfantreasures.com. He would like to invite you to check out their Ohio State Buckeyes Store and Ohio State Buckeyes Apparel online today!

Post from: EveryJoe

Ohio State Preview

OSU…I tried to cheer for you to spread the Big Ten love. And you let me down again. This is twice in a row, you asses.

 In any case, I still love college football, and I will miss it terribly until next season. Here’s a recap of the game…and why I LOVE college football:

1. Early in the game, Ohio State made things interesting. With over 9 minutes left in the first quarter, Ohio State was up 10 to ZILCH. The announcer’s reaction? “Don’t let Jim Tressel’s sweater-vest fool you.”

2. Hester is amazing tonight. He FOUGHT for yards on every play where he touched the ball. Cheering for OSU, I was literally yelling, “DON’T GIVE IT TO THAT LITTLE SHIT.” When I get that riled up about a player on the other team, its a good thing. (Editor Note to Hester: I don’t really think you are a little shit. It’s just the game. You understand.)

3. LSU wasn’t about to lie down. And I love that about them. College football is nothing if the team play doesn’t have a little heart. End of the first quarter, LSU hadn’t caught up, but they did get a field goal on board to make the score 10-3.

4. College football is all about TAKING opportunities. After getting a facemask call which moved LSU a lot closer to the end zone, Dickson took the ball and didn’t look back, putting more points on the board for LSU. They were practically screaming, “This game is NOT over!”

5.  Two words: Blocked Kicks. They’re hot and a bit rare…but LSU pulled one off, keeping the score tied during the beginning of the second quarter.

6. High-scoring games are another reason I love college football. About half-way through the quarter, the Tigers claimed a touchdown at the end of another great drive, putting them up 17-10. To me, that’s an exciting game. It isn’t that the defenses are bad…the offenses are just really on point tonight. Flynn’s touchdown throw this time was perfect. Then, they came back with yet another touchdown. 24-10…great game.

7. College football is unpredicatable. Going into the game, many pegged OSU to win. After the first ten minutes, everyone was chanting “It’s all over” already. In the third quarter, LSU raised the stakes to 31-10. Ouch, OSU.

8. You can always come back. OSU picks off a throw for an interception, takes it to the 11, gets denied the touchdown on the first few plays, but makes it on 4th and 5 to bring the score to 31-17.

9. In a game like this, coverage is TIGHT. It really doesn’t GET any tighter, actually. Fumbles, tackles, interceptions, and break ups have ruled the game.

10. When it is over, teams still play. After an interception and a score that remained at 31-17…and then went to 38-17. Yet, OSU staying in game-mode. At that point, it was about doing their best. You ALWAYS do your best, not matter what the scoreboard says. And they scored because of that, taking the score to 38-24.

Post from: EveryJoe

Reasons I Love College Football: The 2007 National Championship Game Recap