Game Ten: Ohio State 48, Northwestern 7 (final)

[BearBuck27]

I like the Bucks in this one as well. Keep grinding the ball w/ Pittman (I think Young from Iowa had about 200 yds. on the ground) and then throw over the top to our receivers against NW atrocious secondary.

The D won't give up too much, IMO because the seniors won't let it happen on their senior day with revenge on their mind.

Go Bucks!!!

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Well, I will be in the shoe for this one, lets hope its a great game.

[JXC]

Northwestern is #25 in the AP poll. So at least it will be advertised on ABC as a game between two ranked teams. That's always good when trying to get voters to move you up, even one spot. Being #26 just shows up as unranked...where as #10 vs. #25 looks a lot more impressive, even though it really isn't. We need every vote we can get from the coach's and harris poll. And two straight wins agasint top 25 teams will likely gain us some votes, and I would also assume take votes away from Notre Dame. Every vote counts in the BCS, and it looks like we could end up being very close to getting that #6 spot if we win out.

Plus, it's also a lot more fun to play a ranked team.

[scarletngrey11]

Our offense will come out and move at will on a very horrid NW defense. Our defense will step up for their last home game, and will not give up as much as many are thinking...

Paybacks a bitch...

[SanAntonioBuck]

It's the last home game for our Seniors! The team will be very focus for this one. The defense will be stout. The offense should be lights out. We get our first 1000 yard rusher since that #13 guy. Revenge will be very sweet!

Buckeyes 45
Mildcats 13

[bucknut11]

N'Western has 8 sacks in 9 games (that's my contribution for the game preview). Troy should have all kinds of time to sit back and pass against a porous defense.

This one isn't getting as much press as the Iowa game, but I'd assume the guys will be revved up for payback.

[808 Buck]

Motivation should certainly be on our side:

1. Still in the hunt for the Big 10 championship
2. Last home game for seniors
3. Payback for last year
4. Ranked team coming in
5. Last regular season game - Michigan season is a week away.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Northwestern has the worst defense in I-A (494.44 ypg) and are 99th in scoring defense (32.0 ppg).

Inetersting that the number #5, #6, and #7 total offenses in the country are Michigan State, Minnesota, and Northwestern. We held both MSU and Minn to 24 points (yeah, Minn had 31, but that last TD was in the last 2 minutes of the game against our bench when we had to game clearly won). I think we hold Northwestern to well under 24 points due to the revenge factor, and we score 40+ points for the fourth straight game for the first time since 1995.

[Buckin' A]

Agreed, but we need to start fast this game. Second half adjustments have been great, but I'd prefer to play that way from the first whistle.

[Zurp]

Originally Posted by Bucklion

and covering the onside kicks properly they will be starting in the third quarter

Why is Northwestern kicking off? I can understand that they'll kick off to start the game or the 2nd half, but neither of those would be onside kicks. I guess that MAYBE they would be. But Northwestern would have to score late in the game to consider onside kicks, and by that time we won't really care if they recover it, since they'll be down by 4 touchdowns.

I see rushing touchdowns by Smith and Pittman, and receiving touchdowns by Holmes and Gonzo. Maybe even two touchdowns for Gonzo. Add a couple of field goals, and I see Ohio State getting 40+ again this week.

The defense will have trouble, again, in the first half, but won't give up many first downs in the second half. I don't see Northwestern scoring 20 on the Bucks.

The first half will be slow for both sides of the ball, for the Buckeyes. Halftime score will be pretty close. 13-10, or something like that. A couple of turnovers will really hurt the Bucks score, but the defense won't give up points easily. The second half will be like it was against Minnesota and Illinois. Final score: Ohio State 41 - Northwestern 16

[cincibuck]

I dunno. This team can score quick and fast and spread offenses have been able to move the ball on this Buckeye defense. I was surprised that they weren't able to come back against Michigan. If we put the ball on the ground and if Banaze (sp) has a hot hand it could be a case of who has the ball last. I'm hoping that last home game mentality will keep their heads in this game and not out scouting Michigan.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by cincibuck

I dunno. This team can score quick and fast and spread offenses have been able to move the ball on this Buckeye defense. I was surprised that they weren't able to come back against Michigan. If we put the ball on the ground and if Banaze (sp) has a hot hand it could be a case of who has the ball last. I'm hoping that last home game mentality will keep their heads in this game and not out scouting Michigan.

"Moving the ball" is not scoring, and I actually disagree quite a bit that spread teams in any way shape or form have their way with OSU

Last I checked, Michigan's D was not even a bad comparison to OSUs. If Mich can keep these guys in check, I feel pretty damn confident that OSU can.

[Taosman]

Worse case scenario it becomes a shoot out. I don't see that happening.
We need to come out with our foot on the gas and not let up for 60 minutes.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Let me ask you all one thing: Do you really think these seniors want both the 14-game win streak at Northwestern and the 13-game win streak at home snapped on them in consecutive years as part of their legacy?

[Bucklion]

Originally Posted by Zurp

Why is Northwestern kicking off? I can understand that they'll kick off to start the game or the 2nd half, but neither of those would be onside kicks. I guess that MAYBE they would be. But Northwestern would have to score late in the game to consider onside kicks, and by that time we won't really care if they recover it, since they'll be down by 4 touchdowns.

I see rushing touchdowns by Smith and Pittman, and receiving touchdowns by Holmes and Gonzo. Maybe even two touchdowns for Gonzo. Add a couple of field goals, and I see Ohio State getting 40+ again this week.

The defense will have trouble, again, in the first half, but won't give up many first downs in the second half. I don't see Northwestern scoring 20 on the Bucks.

The first half will be slow for both sides of the ball, for the Buckeyes. Halftime score will be pretty close. 13-10, or something like that. A couple of turnovers will really hurt the Bucks score, but the defense won't give up points easily. The second half will be like it was against Minnesota and Illinois. Final score: Ohio State 41 - Northwestern 16

I definitely agree they'll be down, and probably big, in the second half. But anyone thinking they're not going to score any points on us at all is wishfully thinking IMO, considering last year's game and the Minnesota game this year.