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

[TheIronColonel]

Originally Posted by generaladm

Throw in an inexperienced USC O-line vs. our veteran front 7.

Experienced, yes, but our interior defensive line needs to perform better than last year to exploit their youth. I'd say the advantage in that matchup leans slightly OSU right now, but we'll see how the two teams look after their first game (or two games, in OSU's case).

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

Experienced, yes, but our interior defensive line needs to perform better than last year to exploit their youth.

That's kind of the point of experience.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

...our interior defensive line needs to perform better than last year...

Agree completely. But how much better was the defensive line of 2002 (14-0) vs. the defensive line of 2001 (7-5)? I submit that the difference in DL is roughly equivalent to the difference in the record. I'm NOT saying that the DL was the only difference, just saying they were that much better.

IMHO that level of improvement is possible. Considerable improvement is likely. Some improvement is a virtual certainty.

[TheIronColonel]

I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just not counting my chickens before they've hatched. If we had a monster interior entering the season, I'd definitely say we have an advantage over their young offensive line. Since the quality of the defensive line is still largely unknown (although it should be better than last year, for what that's worth), I'm hesitant to put a lot of stock in claims of advantage there.

[generaladm]

I'll chime in and say that an inexperienced O-line is much more of a liability than a "mediocre" D-line, especially in pass protection. Also, I was originally speaking of the front 7, not just the DTs. Good LBs and DEs can do a lot to cover up weakness at DT, and were stacked at those positions. I happen to think the D-line will be very good this year, just getting Wilson and Rose back from injury will have a big impact. Geez, with all the doubts people on this board have about Defensive Tackle, you'd think Todd Boeckman played there.

[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by Buckeneye

I'm pretty sure the problem Nebraska had was that they sucked...

yeah - that's pretty much it.

they sucked so bad that my favorite watering hole which was an Official Nebraska Bar for the last 7 years pulled all the Husker [censored] out of the case, and turned it into an Ohio State bar.

the LSU game came down to the interior of the line on both sides of the ball. their interior OL were better than our DTs. they're DTs were better than our interior OL. that's the way it goes some times... i think the shoe may be on the other foot in this match up.

USC returns 5 on the OL guys who have starting experience, but those 5 have also only combined to start 26 games total, which ranks in the BOTTOM 10 in all of CFB.. our D-line returns 7 of 8, though the loss of Gholston is big. however if Rose and Wilson return to pre-injury form and Cam makes the transition to the inside, this D-line could be the best we've had since '03.

on the other side of the ball, we return 4 of 5 OL, and all 4 returners started every game last year. there is also the added depth of coach Bolls running in the entire 2nd team OL for a series or two every game over the last couple years and 3 top 10 OL recruits who were on campus for spring ball. conversely, on the D-line USC loses TWO first round draft picks who combined for 118 tackles and 19.5 sacks last year, and the 4 projected starters combined for just 11 sacks last season.

fwiw...

[Taosman]

Many USC fans feel it won't be close because they have a decided sce....er..speed advantage! Those Big Ten guys are plodders! If anything we have a decided experience advantage.
It's really gonna come down to turnovers.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by lvbuckeye

however if Rose and Wilson return to pre-injury form and Cam makes the transition to the inside, this D-line could be the best we've had since '03.

I think it'll be Rose making the transition inside, not Cameron.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

I think it'll be Rose making the transition inside, not Cameron.

From what I've read, Rose has been groomed to play DT and would have played inside last year, before the injuries to himself and Wilson. Cam has the frame to develop into a DT, but I think his athleticism is better suited for end.

[Football_Junky]

78 more day until the big game!

[craigblitz]

Bucks by 9... :-).. Where is the VBET Already

[muffler dragon]

According to Cowherd this morning, ESPN and other sports pundits are calling this game, "The most important game in the history of the Big Ten."

I'm not kidding.

IF tOSU gets whooped; then it just shows how crappy the Big Ten is with the Torch Bearer getting slaughtered.

Interestingly enough,

1) Cowherd never said what happens to USC in the media IF they get slaughtered. (I'm sure the carte blanche will be extended for time immemorial).
2) Cowherd said he'd take OSU and the points IF he was betting, because the defenses are going to make this a slugfest.

[Bleed S & G]

Originally Posted by Taosman

Many USC fans feel it won't be close because they have a decided sce....er..speed advantage! Those Big Ten guys are plodders! If anything we have a decided experience advantage.
It's really gonna come down to turnovers.

You mean if they don't act as a punt right?

Every game comes down to the lines, turnovers, and special teams.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

si.com

Ten season-defining games in '08

A year ago this time, no one would have predicted that a Thanksgiving weekend game between Missouri and Kansas would wind up one of the most highly viewed of the season. Or that USC's game against Stanford would carry greater implications than its subsequent trip to Cal.
But who are we kidding? We're college football fans. We're still going to circle certain games on the calendar months before their arrival with the anticipation that these showdowns will carry monumental stakes by the time they're played.
Here are 10 potentially season-defining games in 2008:

1. Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13. This showdown of likely top-five teams is as much about credibility as anything. After consecutive BCS title game whitewashings, the Buckeyes desperately need a win, or at least a down-to-the-wire finish, to show they're capable of competing at the highest level. New Trojans starting QB Mark Sanchez, meanwhile, will be under the primetime spotlight.

Continued.....

[NightmaresDad]

I'm just glad to be playing another top team without a 7 week layoff beforehand.