Ohio State 3, Southern Cal 35 (Sept. 13)

[BUCK3YE5]

This will be the game of the year. In my opinion, USC (and maybe Illinois) is the only team that will get in Ohio State's way of another National Championship.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by BUCK3YE5

This will be the game of the year. In my opinion, USC (and maybe Illinois) is the only team that will get in Ohio State's way of another National Championship.

Camp Randall at night is one of the toughest environments in college football. I think that will be the biggest test this season. With the talent and experience we have, I think we can beat any team in the country, but I'm always nervous going into Madison. Illinois without Mendenhall is a question mark, plus we have the revenge factor.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by generaladm

Camp Randall at night is one of the toughest environments in college football. I think that will be the biggest test this season. With the talent and experience we have, I think we can beat any team in the country, but I'm always nervous going into Madison. Illinois without Mendenhall is a question mark, plus we have the revenge factor.

+1. UW is my biggest concern, not USC or Illinois.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

+1. UW is my biggest concern, not USC or Illinois.

True dat. I still have nightmares about the 2003 night game. Torrential downpour, the choke, Gamble biting on the hitch-and-go by Lee Evans. My friends and I had to watch the game at a bar because none of us had cable. One of my friends was so [censored]ed, he poured a full beer over his head and threw his buckeye beads at the TV. I can't believe we didn't get kicked out.

I think USC will be a better team than UW, but the Badgers always play us tough.

[Sportsbuck28]

Originally Posted by generaladm

True dat. I still have nightmares about the 2003 night game. Torrential downpour, the choke, Gamble biting on the hitch-and-go by Lee Evans. My friends and I had to watch the game at a bar because none of us had cable. One of my friends was so [censored]ed, he poured a full beer over his head and threw his buckeye beads at the TV. I can't believe we didn't get kicked out.

I still remember almost losing in 02... Krenzel to Jenkins, then Krenzel to Hartsock on that one pass saved the day, and then Gamble sealed it with the pick

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by generaladm

One of my friends was so [censored]ed, he poured a full beer over his head and threw his buckeye beads at the TV.

Damn, and I thought that I got mad at losses...

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by generaladm

One of my friends was so [censored]ed, he poured a full beer over his head and threw his buckeye beads at the TV. I can't believe we didn't get kicked out.

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Damn, and I thought that I got mad at losses...

That was actually pretty tame for my friend Joe. I don't think I should post some of the other stories. We only watched games in public places when absolutely necessary. One of the funnier stories was from when we watched the 05 Penn State game at Joe's apartment. As soon as the game was over, Joe says, "Alright, everybody get the [censored] out." We filed out and got maybe 10 feet from his door when one guy realizes he left his hat inside. He goes back and knocks on the door. When Joe opens the door (only 5 seconds after we left, mind you), he's already stripped down to his boxers and has the lights off. Guess he really wanted to sleep that one off.

[82Trojan]

SC alum just getting up to speed on this tread. Lot's of good analysis. Can't wait for this season/game. Most of the keys to the game have been discussed. Here's how I see it breaking down:

• Bucks need to control the defensive line. If you let those Trojan horses out of the barn, you will be in for a very long day, and in the process, open up the passing game (if needed). You need to test SC's young O-line and try to shake them up.
• OSU's best strategy is to make SC a one dimentional passing team, and let their receivers and inexperience at QB try and win the day. Some key picks could be the difference.
• Bucks can't play from behind. SC D is very tough, and if they have a lead to play with, those LBs and corners may start taking more chances and cause a lot of problems.
• SC needs to try and balance their attack and open some holes in the O-line (question as to whether their line will be playing with any chemistry by week 2). If they can't hold the OSU D-line and complete some passes, the offense will stall out.
• OSU needs balance on offense too. It will be the only way to keep the Trojans guessing and gain some momentum. Look at all of the teams that have stuck to an ineffective game plan (namely UM, OU and Nebraska) and not adjusted to having their running games smothered.

Of couse there are lots of intangibles:

• Sanchez as QB adds a run option, where Booty was strictly a drop-back QB. Has SC added this to the offensive scheme? How will it work?
• Will OSU be even a little distracted by the strange surrondings and how last season ended?
• Will the poor quality of OSU's first two opponents help or hurt?
• OSU's expeience factor.
• Anything can happen on special teams.
• Turnovers
• Bad bounces
• Bad Calls
• Missed kicks

But all things being equal, I think the top list are the keys. I think the OSU is more of a "known quantity" at this point, and SC has questions that need to be answered, but certainly this will be one of the most talent loaded games of the year. And I like that it's so early in the season that a "well fought" close game won't knock either team out of contention at the end of the year. I love the fact that these teams have not seen each other in recent history. Some teams just don't match up well with each other, so we will know the day after if this was the case.

How great is college football? I can't imagine getting this interested, this early, for some pro game, where free agency scambles the familiar faces every year.

[Taosman]

No one wants to give this team any credit for playing against 2 National Champions in a row. This team knows how to be ready in season. Much centers around "Beanie". If he's healthy(he should be), he will present quite a challenge to the SC run defense. If Beanie is getting yards it will open up the play action game and things will get very interesting. If Beanie is getting contained, the whole offense will struggle. And our QB has to be near flawless in performance. We all saw what turnovers did to Illinois in the RB. And mistakes killed us in the BCS. A tough task for sure. But this team has been on the biggest stage. It will be a close game.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by 82Trojan

Of couse there are lots of intangibles:

• Sanchez as QB adds a run option, where Booty was strictly a drop-back QB. Has SC added this to the offensive scheme? How will it work?
• Will OSU be even a little distracted by the strange surrondings and how last season ended?
• Will the poor quality of OSU's first two opponents help or hurt?
• OSU's expeience factor.
• Anything can happen on special teams.
• Turnovers
• Bad bounces
• Bad Calls
• Missed kicks

Welcome 82, and thanks for the comments. We'll assume that 'Bad calls' includes Pac-10 replay booth screw-ups.

[jwinslow]

strange surrondings

Venice Beach? Botox-crippled faces? 7208 variations of teenage reality shows?

[rocketman]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Venice Beach? Botox-crippled faces? 7208 variations of teenage reality shows?

He's talking about the SoCal heat. Ohio players can't handle it, if our outing in Austin was any indication.

We're doomed.

[82Trojan]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Venice Beach? Botox-crippled faces? 7208 variations of teenage reality shows?

EXACTLY!

[methomps]

Originally Posted by generaladm

I would put the PAC-10 just ahead of the ACC. Apart from USC and Oregon St., there are no defenses worth spit. Prime example, Reggie Bush looked like a golden god in the P10. Why? Because everyone who could tackle or understood the concept of containing a running back was on his team. When he faced defenses from other conferences, he was not nearly as effective. I would have loved to see him play against the 2005 Silver Bullets. Hawk would have eaten him. And now his jerseys sell more than any other non-factor player in the league. I would rank 'em 1. SEC 2. Big Ten/Big 12 (tie) 4. Big East 5. PAC 10 6. ACC.

I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Reggie Bush's breakout performance was against Virginia Tech his sophomore year. His performances against OOC teams in 04 and 05:

vs. VaTech: 9 carries, 27 yds; 5 rec., 127 yds, 3 TDs
vs. ColoSt.: 12 carries, 84 yds, 1TD
vs. BYU: 14 carries, 124 yds, 1 TD; 4 rec., 42 yds, 1TD
vs. ND: 8 carries, 25 yds; 1 rec, 69 yds, 1TD
vs. OU: 6 carries, 75 yds; 2 rec, 31 yds

vs. Haw: 12 carries, 86 yds, 2 TDs; 4 rec., 58 yds
vs. Ark: 8 carries, 125 yds, 1 TD; 3 rec., 70 yds, 1TD
vs. ND: 15 carries, 160 yds, 3 TDs; 4 rec, 35 yds
vs. Fresno: 23 carries, 294 yds, 2TDs; 3 rec, 68 yds
vs. Texas: 13 carries, 82 yds, 1 TD; 6 rec., 95 yds

His least-impressive performances:

vs. Cal: 8 carries, 23 yds; 1 rec, 6 yds
vs. Zona: 12 carries, 45 yds; 4 rec., 19 yds
vs. Cal: 17 carries, 82 yds; 1 rec., 4 yds

[rocketman]

Yeah, I don't know how you can write off Reggie Bush's success at USC being simply a product of bad defenses. The man could play ball.

A mythical '05 USC vs. OSU game would make for fun discussion, though. We had the only defense that could contain Vince Young (his running ability, at least). It took three of the most athletic LB'ers we've probably ever fielded at the same time to do it.