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Preface
This Friday Jim Tressel will make his first head coaching appearance in the "Granddaddy of Them All", as Ohio State will meet the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl. Despite this being the first tOSU visit to Pasadena since the inception of the BCS in the 1998 season, the Buckeyes have earned more BCS appearances than any other team in the country.
Most BCS bowl appearances, including 2010 bowls:
8 - Ohio State
7 - Oklahoma
7 - USC
6 - Florida
6 - Florida State
4 - LSU
4 - Miami
4 - TSUN
4 - Texas
4 - Virginia Tech
3 - Alabama
3 - Georgia
3 - Notre Dame
And despite the well-publicized streak of losses in tOSU's past 3 bowls, only 1 team has won more BCS Bowl games than the Buckeyes.
Most BCS bowl wins, through last season:
6 - USC
4 - Ohio State
4 - Florida
4 - LSU
3 - Miami
3 - Texas
2 - Oklahoma
2 - Georgia
2 - Utah
2 - West Virginia
2 - Wisconsin
The Buckeyes have faced Oregon on seven previous occasions, winning each game. Here are the results of those games, and the overall records for both teams at the end of each campaign.
01-01-1958 tOSU 10, Oregon 07 (Rose Bowl) tOSU ended 9-1-0 (Coaches National Champions), Oregon finished 7-4, (#17 Coaches)
11-18-1961 tOSU 22, Oregon 12 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 8-0-1 (faculty vetoed Rose Bowl bid), Oregon finished 4-6
11-17-1962 tOSU 26, Oregon 07 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 6-3-0 (#13 in final Coaches Poll), Oregon finished 6-3-1
10-07-1967 tOSU 30, Oregon 00 (in Eugene) tOSU ended 6-3-0, (NR in final polls), Oregon finished 2-8; game was Autzen Stadium's official dedication
10-05-1968 tOSU 21, Oregon 06 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 10-0-0 (consensus National Champs), Oregon finished 4-6
09-10-1983 tOSU 31, Oregon 06 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 9-3-0 (#8 in final Coaches Poll), Oregon finished 4-6-1
09-19-1987 tOSU 24, Oregon 14 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 6-4-1 (Earle Bruce's last season), Oregon finished 6-5
Oregon's football history has improved considerably since the last times these two teams have met. They had only gone to 6 bowls prior to 1989, but have gone bowling in 17 of the last 21 seasons. Their Rose Bowl history consists of a win over Penn after the 1916 season, a loss to Harvard 3 years later, the game against the Buckeyes after the '57 season, and a 38-20 loss to the powerful 1994 Penn State squad.
The Ducks only previous BCS Bowl appearance was after the 2001 season, when they defeated Colorado 38-16 in the Fiesta Bowl. That year marked an extremely close finish among Nebraska, Colorado, and Oregon as the BCS rankings reversed the order among the 2/3/4 spots in the final AP poll before the bowl games, sending Big 12 CCG losing Nebraska to face Miami in the Title Game. Led by QB Joey Harrington, Oregon polished off Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl to earn the #2 spot in the final polls, their best-ever finish.
Although the Webfoots have had just 4 top-10 finishes all-time in the AP poll, a Rose Bowl win would secure their fourth top-10 finish this decade (their only top-10 finish before 2000 was a #9 ranking in 1948).
The most successful coaches for Oregon have been Len Casanova, who went 82-73-8 (.528) between 1951-66; Rich Brooks (currently at Kentucky), who went 89-111-4 (.446) from 1977-94 (he inherited a team that had 6 straight losing seasons and built them up to the 1994 Rose Bowl team); and current Athletic Director Mike Bellotti, who was 116-55-0 (.678) in his 14 years before handing the program to Chip Kelly in 2009.
Well-known Duck footballers include RB Jonathan Stewart, DL Haloti Ngata, RB/WR Bobby Moore (Ahmad Rashad in the NFL), and NFL Hall-of-Famers Gary Zimmerman (OL), Norm Van Brocklin (QB), Dan ("bad call, Keith") Fouts (QB), Dave Wilcox (DE at Oregon, LB in the NFL), Mel Renfro (DB who also played RB at Oregon), and Tuffy Leemans (RB).
Date and Time8 - Ohio State
7 - Oklahoma
7 - USC
6 - Florida
6 - Florida State
4 - LSU
4 - Miami
4 - TSUN
4 - Texas
4 - Virginia Tech
3 - Alabama
3 - Georgia
3 - Notre Dame
And despite the well-publicized streak of losses in tOSU's past 3 bowls, only 1 team has won more BCS Bowl games than the Buckeyes.
Most BCS bowl wins, through last season:
6 - USC
4 - Ohio State
4 - Florida
4 - LSU
3 - Miami
3 - Texas
2 - Oklahoma
2 - Georgia
2 - Utah
2 - West Virginia
2 - Wisconsin
The Buckeyes have faced Oregon on seven previous occasions, winning each game. Here are the results of those games, and the overall records for both teams at the end of each campaign.
01-01-1958 tOSU 10, Oregon 07 (Rose Bowl) tOSU ended 9-1-0 (Coaches National Champions), Oregon finished 7-4, (#17 Coaches)
11-18-1961 tOSU 22, Oregon 12 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 8-0-1 (faculty vetoed Rose Bowl bid), Oregon finished 4-6
11-17-1962 tOSU 26, Oregon 07 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 6-3-0 (#13 in final Coaches Poll), Oregon finished 6-3-1
10-07-1967 tOSU 30, Oregon 00 (in Eugene) tOSU ended 6-3-0, (NR in final polls), Oregon finished 2-8; game was Autzen Stadium's official dedication
10-05-1968 tOSU 21, Oregon 06 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 10-0-0 (consensus National Champs), Oregon finished 4-6
09-10-1983 tOSU 31, Oregon 06 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 9-3-0 (#8 in final Coaches Poll), Oregon finished 4-6-1
09-19-1987 tOSU 24, Oregon 14 (the Shoe), tOSU ended 6-4-1 (Earle Bruce's last season), Oregon finished 6-5
Oregon's football history has improved considerably since the last times these two teams have met. They had only gone to 6 bowls prior to 1989, but have gone bowling in 17 of the last 21 seasons. Their Rose Bowl history consists of a win over Penn after the 1916 season, a loss to Harvard 3 years later, the game against the Buckeyes after the '57 season, and a 38-20 loss to the powerful 1994 Penn State squad.
The Ducks only previous BCS Bowl appearance was after the 2001 season, when they defeated Colorado 38-16 in the Fiesta Bowl. That year marked an extremely close finish among Nebraska, Colorado, and Oregon as the BCS rankings reversed the order among the 2/3/4 spots in the final AP poll before the bowl games, sending Big 12 CCG losing Nebraska to face Miami in the Title Game. Led by QB Joey Harrington, Oregon polished off Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl to earn the #2 spot in the final polls, their best-ever finish.
Although the Webfoots have had just 4 top-10 finishes all-time in the AP poll, a Rose Bowl win would secure their fourth top-10 finish this decade (their only top-10 finish before 2000 was a #9 ranking in 1948).
The most successful coaches for Oregon have been Len Casanova, who went 82-73-8 (.528) between 1951-66; Rich Brooks (currently at Kentucky), who went 89-111-4 (.446) from 1977-94 (he inherited a team that had 6 straight losing seasons and built them up to the 1994 Rose Bowl team); and current Athletic Director Mike Bellotti, who was 116-55-0 (.678) in his 14 years before handing the program to Chip Kelly in 2009.
Well-known Duck footballers include RB Jonathan Stewart, DL Haloti Ngata, RB/WR Bobby Moore (Ahmad Rashad in the NFL), and NFL Hall-of-Famers Gary Zimmerman (OL), Norm Van Brocklin (QB), Dan ("bad call, Keith") Fouts (QB), Dave Wilcox (DE at Oregon, LB in the NFL), Mel Renfro (DB who also played RB at Oregon), and Tuffy Leemans (RB).
Date: Friday, January 1st, 2010
Time: 5:10 ET Kick-off
Location: The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 1998)
Seating Capacity: 88,500 for the Rose Bowl (normally 91,136, it had been 104,594 before the 1998 renovations)
Playing Surface: Natural turf playing surface of Bullseye Bermuda grass overseeded with rye. On game day, the turf is cut to approximately 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch.
Time: 5:10 ET Kick-off
Location: The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 1998)
Seating Capacity: 88,500 for the Rose Bowl (normally 91,136, it had been 104,594 before the 1998 renovations)
Playing Surface: Natural turf playing surface of Bullseye Bermuda grass overseeded with rye. On game day, the turf is cut to approximately 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch.
Events and Trophies: The Rose Bowl Parade takes place in the morning on game day.
The Rose Bowl Game Trophy, also known as the Leishman Trophy, is named after 1920 Tournament of Roses President William L. Leishman, who was responsible for the construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium and his son, 1939 Tournament of Roses President Lathrop K. Leishman, who was instrumental in helping establish the Rose Bowl Game as the Granddaddy of Them All. Tiffany & Co. has designed and crafted the Rose Bowl Game Trophy. It is comprised of nearly 16 pounds of sterling silver, stands nearly 21 inches tall and takes approximately two weeks to complete.
In 1953, the Rose Bowl Player of the Game Award was created to recognize the individual whose performance embodied grit, power, finesse and determination and led to a significant difference in the outcome of the game. The Rose Bowl Game polls the media representatives covering the game to make the selection. The Rose Bowl Game recognizes two Players of the Game ? an offensive and defensive player. The recipients of this award also receive a spectacular crystal trophy created in cooperation with Tiffany & Co. featuring an etched replica of the Rose Bowl championship trophy.
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: ABC, with Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis) and and Lisa Salters (sideline).
Radio: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS FM 97.1 in Columbus): Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analysis), and Marty Bannister (sideline)
The game can also be heard live on ESPN and XM Satellite Radio with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Shelley Smith.
2009 Oregon Ducks Offensive PreviewThe Rose Bowl Game Trophy, also known as the Leishman Trophy, is named after 1920 Tournament of Roses President William L. Leishman, who was responsible for the construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium and his son, 1939 Tournament of Roses President Lathrop K. Leishman, who was instrumental in helping establish the Rose Bowl Game as the Granddaddy of Them All. Tiffany & Co. has designed and crafted the Rose Bowl Game Trophy. It is comprised of nearly 16 pounds of sterling silver, stands nearly 21 inches tall and takes approximately two weeks to complete.
In 1953, the Rose Bowl Player of the Game Award was created to recognize the individual whose performance embodied grit, power, finesse and determination and led to a significant difference in the outcome of the game. The Rose Bowl Game polls the media representatives covering the game to make the selection. The Rose Bowl Game recognizes two Players of the Game ? an offensive and defensive player. The recipients of this award also receive a spectacular crystal trophy created in cooperation with Tiffany & Co. featuring an etched replica of the Rose Bowl championship trophy.
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: ABC, with Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis) and and Lisa Salters (sideline).
Radio: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS FM 97.1 in Columbus): Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analysis), and Marty Bannister (sideline)
The game can also be heard live on ESPN and XM Satellite Radio with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Shelley Smith.
Returning starters: 5
The Buckeyes head to Pasadena for the first time since the conclusion of the 1996 season. Awaiting them there will be the Oregon Ducks, appearing for the first time since the end of the 1994 campaign and for just the fifth time ever. They also played Ohio State at the end of the 1957 season, and the Buckeyes won that game 10-7. In 1994, they racked up huge yardage totals through the air but eventually were worn down by undefeated Penn State 38-20. Since then, the Ducks have been to 12 bowl games, winning 6, including their previous 2, over South Florida and Oklahoma State. This year's installment of the Duck offense runs coach Chip Kelly's version of the spread option attack, and the Ducks have run up and down the field and scored points in droves for much of the 2009 campaign. Their only stumble after their early season embarrassment in Boise was 51-42 to Stanford, and they finished their conference record at 8-1, scoring at least 40 points in 7 of those conference games. They also won in Pasadena earlier in the season, besting UCLA 24-10 without their starting QB. Thus the Buckeyes have a stiff challenge ahead of them if they are to break their bowl drought and leave the Rose Bowl with a victory.
The Ducks overcame a horrible performance in the opening contest to finish the season ranked in the top 25 nationally in yards per game, rating 25th with an average of 424.7. Their main focus was on running the football, where they ranked 6th nationally at a staggering 236.1 yards per contest. Their passing numbers are far from earth-shattering, ranking only 95th nationally, but at 198.3 yards a game, they still have a nice competitive balance and force teams to cover both dimensions consistently. Their points per game average of 37.7 ranks 7th in the country, and they would be a factor in the race for #1 were it not for the 8 points in the opener. The Ducks gained 251 total first downs in 2009, ranking T41 in the country, but they converted on only 31.8% of their 3rd downs, ranking T104 of just 120 teams. This makes it even more amazing they racked up the points they did, and outlines the big play explosiveness that this offense possesses. Oregon's turnover margin of 0.25 ranks tied for 46th, as they threw 6 INTs and lost 15 fumbles. By contrast, the Buckeyes threw 10 INTs and lost 7 fumbles. Thus, not surprisingly, this game will probably boil down to production from the running game, quarterback efficiency, and taking care of the football on the offensive side for both teams.
Quarterbacks
QB #8 Jeremiah Masoli (5-11, 220, JR, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, HI/City College of San Francisco)
Masoli is the latest QB to master the spread option attack and successfully develop into a potent weapon both rushing and passing the football. His passing numbers aren't that much different than last season, but he made better decisions during most of the season, took far fewer sacks, and finds himself playing in the Rose Bowl as a result. He threw for over 2000 yards and 15 TDs, while limiting himself to only 5 INTs and 9 sacks, which are very impressive numbers for a QB who is on the move a lot. He is strong, fast, makes good decisions, and has a firm grasp of the offense. He has also effectively spread the ball around to his targets such that defenses haven't been able to key on any one aspect of the passing game. The Buckeyes will face a formidable challenge trying to control his big play ability and especially to contain him on 3rd downs.
He, like the rest of the team, got off to an awful start in the opener against Boise State, throwing for just 124 yards with an INT and gaining only 14 yards on the ground on 7 carries. The offense produced only 8 points in the opener, and it looked like it might be a bad season in Eugene, particularly after losing Blount in the post-game action. However, Masoli calmly regrouped his team and bounced back nicely the following week, throwing for 163 yards and gaining 84 on the ground with a score, leading his team to a tight win over Purdue. It was back to frustration the following contest, however, as Utah repeatedly flustered Masoli, to the tune of holding him to 4 of 16 for 95 yards and a pick through the air and 47 yards on the ground. However he scored 2 rushing TDs and led his team to a tight victory, improving the prospects for his season and for the Ducks in general. The following week it all worked well in a demolition of highly rated (at the time) Cal, as he completed 21 of 25 for 253 yards and 3 scores and added 21 yards on the ground. The next week against Washington State, he threw for 116 yards and a score and added 52 yards and a score on the ground in a laugher, although he got hurt in the second quarter and didn't return to the game. After missing the following week's game against UCLA with injuries, he returned to the lineup against Washington and never missed a beat, throwing for 157 yards and a score and rushing for 54 yards and 2 TDs. At this point in the year the Ducks sat at 6-1 and they were headed into a showdown with USC. Masoli was more than up to the challenge as he annihilated the Trojans, throwing for 222 yards and a TD and rushing for 164 yards and a TD on only 13 carries as the Ducks blew out the Trojans and made themselves the Pac-10 favorites. Enthusiasm was somewhat tempered the following week as the Ducks lost to Stanford, but Masoli was big again, throwing for a season high 334 yards and 3 TDs and adding 55 yards and a TD on the ground as the Ducks lost a shootout. He brought the team home down the stretch in fine style, throwing for 120 yards and 2 TDs and adding 67 rushing yards in beating Arizona State; and then electrifying the audience against Arizona by throwing for 284 yards and 3 TDs and rushing for 61 yards and 3 more scores. This all set up the rivalry showdown with Oregon State with the Rose Bowl berth on the line. Masoli responded by throwing for 201 yards and a TD and gaining 40 yards on the ground, good enough to lead his team past the Beavers and into Pasadena. What all of this shows is that Masoli faced significant challenges throughout the course of the year, and he responded overwhelmingly after the opener, leading his team to a 10-1 record down the stretch and having his best games against USC and Arizona, who were thought to be his toughest competition. After the opener, the Ducks scored at least 37 points in 9 of the 10 games he was in the lineup, scoring more than 40 in five straight games in the heart of the schedule. Clearly, he is the leader of the offense and a formidable opponent for the highest quality of defense.
The backup is fellow junior Nate Costa (#7). He played in 4 games, seeing significant action in the Washington State game and starting the UCLA game when Masoli was hurt, so he does have some game experience. In his one start, he completed 9 of 17 for 82 yards with a TD and an INT against a relatively mediocre UCLA team. He is also not the running threat Masoli is, gaining only 18 yards on 16 carries and taking 4 sacks in just 33 pass attempts. Costa can run the offense, and he has plenty of help, but clearly the loss of Masoli would be crippling for the Ducks in a game of this magnitude.
QB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State QBs
Masoli: 168/285 (58.9%), 2066 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs, 133.7 rating; 115/659, 12 TDs
Pryor: 144/258 (55.8%), 1828 yards, 16 TDs, 10 INTs, 128.0 rating; 142/707, 7 TDs
Masoli's passing numbers are similar to those of Tate Forcier before Ohio state played Michigan...the rushing numbers are nowhere near the same, however, as Masoli is an absolutely deadly dual threat who can kill a team with his legs much like Pryor can. The passing numbers are pretty similar here...Pryor has a bit lower completion percentage and has thrown more interceptions. He also took 18 sacks to Masoli's 9. Unlike Pryor, who basically ran a conservative gameplan as part of an overall strategy the final month of the season, Masoli had 3 of his 4 best passing games at the end of the year, so he may be playing with a bit more confidence and he might be a bit more ready for a wide open playbook than Pryor will be. On the flip side, he will be facing a much tougher front 7, though Oregon is reasonably good in that respect as well. Masoli had monster games against Stanford, Arizona, and Oregon State down the stretch, and he accounted for 13 total TDs over the final 4 games. Those numbers are superior to Pryor, though based more on gameplan than talent. It will be very interesting to see what kind of playbook Pryor has to work with, and how much the coaching staff will open up the offense, especially if they get an early lead. Talent here is about even, and the style of play is similar, but Masoli has been a little more careful with the football, a bit more consistent throughout the year, and has been very, very good down the stretch, so give Oregon a slight edge. Neither team has much in reserve.
Edge: Oregon
Running Backs
TB #21 LaMichael James (5-9, 180, FR, Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX)
TB #24 Kenjon Barner (5-11, 180, FR, Notre Dame HS, Riverside, CA)
TB #22 Andre Crenshaw (5-11, 188, SR, Antelope Valley HS, Lancaster, CA)
TB #9 LeGarrette Blount (6-2, 246, SR, Taylor County HS, Perry, FL)
The tailback position at Oregon is in great hands despite the early season dismissal of Blount, who remains a wild card as evidenced by the Oregon State game, where he returned to action and looked extremely effective, gaining 51 yards on 9 carries and scoring a TD. After Blount's dismissal, the freshman James stepped into the starter's role by the third game and has never looked back, racking up one of the best seasons for a back in the country, gaining almost 1500 yards and scoring 14 TDs on a ridiculous 6.9 yards a carry. He's a small, shifty back who can hit the opening very quickly and decisively, and he is always a big play waiting to happen. He didn't average less than 5.6 yards a carry in any game this year, so no team was really able to figure out how to stop him. He gained over 100 yards in 9 of the last 10 games, and averaged over 6 yards a carry in the final 8. He is also, not surprisingly, a threat out of the backfield, as he has 13 receptions for 143 yards on the season. He started off with 2 carries for 22 yards in the opener, and then had 9 carries for 56 yards against Purdue, both in a reserve role. His first start came against Utah the following game, where he gained 152 yards on 27 carries and scored a TD. He then gained 188 and scored a TD against Cal and then gained 81 yards and scored twice in the laugher against Washington State. He gained 152 against UCLA and 154 with 2 TDs against Washington, setting up the USC contest. In that game, James dominated, gaining 183 yards and scoring a TD, and he followed that up with 125 on the ground and 89 receiving yards with a TD in the loss to Stanford. He closed the season in grand fashion, gaining 150 yards and scoring 3 TDs against Arizona State, gaining 117 against Arizona, and then, with the Rose Bowl on the line, he responded with 166 yards and 3 TDs against arch-rival Oregon State. Clearly, he's been dominant since he stepped into the lineup, and the Buckeyes will have to make him target number one to slow down this Oregon offense. He could be a Heisman candidate as early as next season.
The Ducks are also blessed with considerable depth at the position. Barner is a speedy freshman defensive back who is also a major factor in the return game. He is second on the team in rushing yards and converted a key 4th down at the end of the game against Oregon State, so he could be a factor in the Rose Bowl at some point. Crenshaw is an established program veteran who started the Purdue game, gaining 23 yards and scoring a TD. He also gained 48 yards and scored a TD against Washington State, but has played sparingly the past month. He may see the field, but is unlikely to be a major factor. Blount, a preseason favorite for many awards, is obviously the wild card in the entire situation. He looked strong in the final game, making some tough runs in the second half. He could be a big factor should the Ducks get the lead as the game wears on. He and James create a "thunder and lightning" effect that will be very difficult for the Buckeyes (or any defense) to stop. How much he will play is, of course, a mystery, as he is not listed on the depth chart.
RB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State RBs
James: 215/1476 yards, 14 TDs, 6.9 YPC; 13 rec/143 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Barner: 54/302 yards, 3 TDs, 5.6 YPC; 3 rec/17 yards, 0 TDs, 5.7 YPR
Crenshaw: 50/152 yards, 3 TDs, 3.0 YPC; 3 rec/26 yards, 0 TDs, 8.7 YPR
Blount: 17/46 yards, 1 TD, 2.7 YPC; 2 rec/13 yards, 0 TDs, 6.5 YPR
Saine: 131/694 yards, 4 TDs, 5.3 YPC; 15 rec/165 yards, 1 TD, 11.0 YPR
Herron: 139/558 yards, 7 TDs, 4.0 YPC; 8 rec/48 yards, 1 TD, 6.0 YPR
Hall: 48/248 yards, 1 TD, 5.2 YPC; 1 rec/5 yards, 0 TDs, 5.0 YPR
James was the major factor for the Ducks all season, whereas the Buckeyes had 2 players, Saine and Herron, who shared the load equally this season. Both Buckeyes had their moments, though neither was the dominant back Buckeye fans are used to seeing. Towards the end of the season, both got healthy and played much better down the stretch, and both will be important to the success of the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Neither, however, stacks up to James, who was a great player all season against every defense he saw. His ability to break the big play makes him one of the most dangerous backs in the country. Barner and Crenshaw probably won't be huge factors in the game, though Barner did see action at critical times against Oregon State and he is a player they want to get the ball to as often as possible, because he has as much or more big play potential as James, given his production in the return game. Blount adds another dimension to the picture that few teams have, and combined with James, he makes the Ducks devastating on the ground. If Blount plays a significant amount in the Rose Bowl (10-15 carries), it will make the Ducks all that much tougher to stop. The Buckeyes have 2 solid players, either of whom could have a breakout game, and they also have promising freshman on the horizon, but they do not have the firepower that the Ducks have here this year.
Edge: Oregon
Wide Receivers
WR #10 D.J. Davis (6-1, 205, JR, Montbello HS, Denver, CO)
WR #23 Jeff Maehl (6-1, 175, JR, Paradise HS, Paradise, CA)
WR #80 Lavasier Tuinei (6-5, 200, SO, Hamilton Heights HS, Arcadia, IN)
WR #19 Jamere Holland (6-1, 185, JR, Taft HS, Pacoima, CA)
The Ducks often use 3 wideouts, and employ 4 in their primary rotation. Maehl is perhaps the best of the group, and he has started every game this season and has 28 straight starts in his career. He was second on the team in receptions last season, and leads the team this year in receptions (52), yards (686), and TDs (6), far and away more than any other WR. He has come on especially strong down the stretch, as his four most productive games were the final 4 of the season, where he caught 5 for 66 yards and a TD against Stanford, 4 for 62 yards and a TD against Arizona State, and then broke the 100 yard mark 2 times to close the season, catching 12 for 114 and 2 TDs against Arizona and then closing with 6 receptions for 138 yards and a TD against Oregon State. He has good size and good speed, and he can run precise routes and also get open downfield. Fellow junior Davis made 8 starts later in the season. His production isn't overwhelming, but has been consistent, as he had at least 2 receptions in the final 6 games and scored twice, once against Washington and again against Stanford. He has good size and is a big target over the middle and in the red zone. Tuinei is a young player with good size who started 8 games as well. His production has been sporadic, but his highlights include 4 receptions for 53 yards against USC and 4 for 60 yards against Arizona, so he has produced in the important games, as those are his 2 best totals on the year. Holland started the first 2 contests but has played sporadically since. His highlights include 3 receptions for 33 yards and a TD against USC and a 40 yard TD against Stanford. He has just 3 receptions in the past 4 games, so his production could be limited in the Rose Bowl. Sophomore Garrett Embry (#86) rounds out the primary chart. He has just 2 receptions on the season and doesn't look as if he'll see the field much in Pasadena, if at all.
WR Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State WRs
Maehl: 52 receptions, 686 yards, 6 TDs, 13.2 YPR
Davis: 22 receptions, 230 yards, 2 TDs, 10.5 YPR
Holland: 13 receptions, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 15.3 YPR
Tuinei: 22 receptions, 187 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Posey: 52 receptions, 727 yards, 7 TDs, 14.0 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 27 receptions, 506 yards, 6 TDs, 18.7 YPR
Maehl is a quality player who has produced all season for the Ducks. His numbers are similar to Posey, as both are clearly the top receivers on their respective teams. Davis and Tuinei are each capable of creating mismatches and having big games, but like Sanzenbacher their production has not been as consistent as the top shelf players. The loss of Carter and Small hurts the Buckeyes in depth and in 3 receiver sets. Holland hasn't produced much recently and doesn't figure to be a major factor. All in all, both teams are similar in terms of numbers, with Posey perhaps being a bit more dangerous of a receiver but with Oregon having better depth. This one is too close to call, especially as their production only goes as the QBs go.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #83 Ed Dickson (6-5, 243, SR, Bellflower HS, Bellflower, CA)
TE #42 David Paulson (6-4, 233, SO, Riverside HS, Auburn, WA)
Much like many of the teams in the Big Ten and like Oregon's last Rose Bowl team, this Ducks squad features power at the TE position. Dickson is the career leader in receiving for TEs at Oregon, passing fellow Rose Bowl participant and game hero for the Ducks (11 receptions, 135 yards in a losing cause in 1994) Josh Wilcox, and was Oregon's lone representative on the Pac-10 first team offense in 2009. Dickson has good size, good power, good hands, and reasonable speed for a man his size. His best game came against Cal, where he caught 11 passes for 148 yards and scored 3 TDs, leading the Ducks to the blowout win. He also caught 7 for 103 yards and a TD against Washington State and 5 for 63 yards and a TD against Arizona. He had at least 3 receptions in 7 games and scored 6 TDs. He is obviously able to dominate a game if a defense doesn't compensate for him over the middle. Fellow TE Paulson started 5 games and also contributed consistently in the passing game, with 12 receptions for 185 yards on the season. Both are also good blockers who are important to the highly successful Oregon ground attack. This is a position of considerable strength for the Ducks, and they would match up well against any team in the country here.
TE Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State TEs
Dickson: 42 receptions, 551 yards, 6 TDs, 13.1 YPR
Paulson: 12 receptions, 185 yards, 0 TDs, 15.4 YPR
Ballard: 13 receptions, 126 yards, 0 TDs, 9.7 YPR
Stoneburner: 2 receptions, 30 yards, 0 TDs, 15.0 YPR
Not much of a contest here, as the Buckeyes don't utilize their TE in the passing game with any regularity. Ballard is a solid player, but Dickson and Paulson lead the way.
Edge: Oregon
Offensive Line
LT #69 Bo Thran (6-5, 293, JR, Barlow HS, Gresham, OR)
LG #77 Carson York (6-5, 285, FR, Lake City HS, Coeur d'Alene, ID)
C #54 Jordan Holmes (6-5, 285, JR, Yuba City HS, Yuba City, CA)
RG #79 Mark Asper (6-7, 323, SO, Bonneville HS, Idaho Falls, ID)
RT #68 C.E. Kaiser (6-4, 290, JR, Central Valley HS, Veradale, WA)
The Ducks do not have an especially celebrated group, as only LT Thran was even honorable mention Pac-10 in 2009. They are, however, a solid and cohesive unit that mixes power and agility to bulldoze the way for the devastating Oregon running attack. Thran is an agile and versatile lineman who made all 12 starts this year, 11 at LT and one at LG after starting 5 games last season (4 LG, 1 RT). He has good size and good footwork and was named the team's top offensive lineman this season. York is also a young and versatile player who can play all along the interior effectively, starting 11 games at LG and one at RG in 2009 after seeing time at center in the spring. He made several freshman award teams and appears to have a good deal of upside. In the middle, Holmes started all 12 games after making 4 starts at LG in 2008. He is another quick and agile lineman in the spread option mold, and he is both smart (Pac-10 All Academic team) and tough (winner of the team's "Pancake Club" award after leading the team with 55). He can also play all along the interior. On the right side, Asper is a monster who started 11 games at RG, missing the start against USC only due to injury. He is a tall, strong, powerful lineman who is especially effective at run blocking. He also brings a wealth of life experience and leadership to the unit after being away on a religious mission. Kaiser started 10 games at RT last year and made 11 starts this season. He has had some injury problems but has battled through them to remain effecting at the edge of the line. All in all, this is a solid if unspectacular group that works well together and has built a good deal of cohesion, as they have missed very, very little collective time due to injury.
The backups include a variety of players, including two who have starts in their career. Freshman Nick Cody (#61) started one game at RT and appears to have a lot of upside. Sophomore fellow tackle Darrion Weems (#74) also started one game this year at LT and has plenty of game experience if needed. Along the interior, sophomores Charlie Carmichael (#76) and Ramsen Golpashin (#70) man the guard spots, while junior Max Forer (#64) is the reserve at center. These 3 players have only 9 collective games played between them this season, so the Ducks are pretty thin across the middle. If an injury happens, look for a tackle to slide in and for one of the backups at those positions to enter the game.
OL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State OL
This could be the one spot that the Ducks are somewhat vulnerable, as they have a strong, intelligent and cohesive unit, but one that lacks star power and a dominant force and one that could be a bit undersized to go against the ferocious Buckeye front wall. The Buckeye offensive line woes were well-documented all season, but the star power is greater and the unit has played with a great deal more tenacity in recent games. The Buckeyes also have some quality depth, something the Ducks don't really have much of, especially along the interior of the line. This of course was partly because of their good fortune to stay healthy, but could be a problem if someone misses significant time in the game. Both lines will be critical to the success of their respective teams in this game, as the Buckeyes will need to establish the run and keep the heat off of Pryor, and the Ducks will have to do the same thing against a front seven that is probably better than any they have faced this season. The Ducks can hold their own here, but look for Boren and company to make their presence felt, especially if the Buckeyes nab a second half lead.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
The Ducks barely missed out on the top 5 nationally in rushing the football, even after the loss of what was supposedly their best player after a single ineffective game. What they ended up with instead was a fine balance of an explosive freshman running back who churned out huge run after huge run and a QB who can make big plays both running and passing the ball at any time. That competitive balance was key for the Ducks to be as impressive as they were, And it led to the offense running roughshod over the Pac-10 for much of the season. The drop in production when Masoli was out is noticeable, but they didn't skip a beat losing Blount, who is now back and adds tremendous depth and lethal power running in the second half if called upon, as seen in the Oregon State game. It will be important for the Buckeyes to try and slow the running game down early, forcing Masoli into some third and long situations he will not be as comfortable in. The Ducks were terrible at converting 3rd downs in general this year, so the Buckeyes will generate a huge advantage if they can put them there consistently with significant yards to gain. What they especially have to look out for is the big play, something the Ducks have feasted on all year. If they can turn this into a grind-it-out type of game, the Buckeyes will have the advantage, though if Blount plays significantly he could even the odds there somewhat. This is a really good offensive unit with one of the best backfields in the country. They miss the A grades only because of their very low 3rd down conversion percentage and their lack of star power at WR and along the OL. The Buckeyes will also have to watch out for the TE position, which is lethal over the middle and could rack up big yardage if unaccounted for. All in all, the Ducks give any defense plenty to think about, and execute their gameplan very, very well.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
2009 Oregon Ducks Defensive PreviewThe Ducks overcame a horrible performance in the opening contest to finish the season ranked in the top 25 nationally in yards per game, rating 25th with an average of 424.7. Their main focus was on running the football, where they ranked 6th nationally at a staggering 236.1 yards per contest. Their passing numbers are far from earth-shattering, ranking only 95th nationally, but at 198.3 yards a game, they still have a nice competitive balance and force teams to cover both dimensions consistently. Their points per game average of 37.7 ranks 7th in the country, and they would be a factor in the race for #1 were it not for the 8 points in the opener. The Ducks gained 251 total first downs in 2009, ranking T41 in the country, but they converted on only 31.8% of their 3rd downs, ranking T104 of just 120 teams. This makes it even more amazing they racked up the points they did, and outlines the big play explosiveness that this offense possesses. Oregon's turnover margin of 0.25 ranks tied for 46th, as they threw 6 INTs and lost 15 fumbles. By contrast, the Buckeyes threw 10 INTs and lost 7 fumbles. Thus, not surprisingly, this game will probably boil down to production from the running game, quarterback efficiency, and taking care of the football on the offensive side for both teams.
Quarterbacks
QB #8 Jeremiah Masoli (5-11, 220, JR, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, HI/City College of San Francisco)
Masoli is the latest QB to master the spread option attack and successfully develop into a potent weapon both rushing and passing the football. His passing numbers aren't that much different than last season, but he made better decisions during most of the season, took far fewer sacks, and finds himself playing in the Rose Bowl as a result. He threw for over 2000 yards and 15 TDs, while limiting himself to only 5 INTs and 9 sacks, which are very impressive numbers for a QB who is on the move a lot. He is strong, fast, makes good decisions, and has a firm grasp of the offense. He has also effectively spread the ball around to his targets such that defenses haven't been able to key on any one aspect of the passing game. The Buckeyes will face a formidable challenge trying to control his big play ability and especially to contain him on 3rd downs.
He, like the rest of the team, got off to an awful start in the opener against Boise State, throwing for just 124 yards with an INT and gaining only 14 yards on the ground on 7 carries. The offense produced only 8 points in the opener, and it looked like it might be a bad season in Eugene, particularly after losing Blount in the post-game action. However, Masoli calmly regrouped his team and bounced back nicely the following week, throwing for 163 yards and gaining 84 on the ground with a score, leading his team to a tight win over Purdue. It was back to frustration the following contest, however, as Utah repeatedly flustered Masoli, to the tune of holding him to 4 of 16 for 95 yards and a pick through the air and 47 yards on the ground. However he scored 2 rushing TDs and led his team to a tight victory, improving the prospects for his season and for the Ducks in general. The following week it all worked well in a demolition of highly rated (at the time) Cal, as he completed 21 of 25 for 253 yards and 3 scores and added 21 yards on the ground. The next week against Washington State, he threw for 116 yards and a score and added 52 yards and a score on the ground in a laugher, although he got hurt in the second quarter and didn't return to the game. After missing the following week's game against UCLA with injuries, he returned to the lineup against Washington and never missed a beat, throwing for 157 yards and a score and rushing for 54 yards and 2 TDs. At this point in the year the Ducks sat at 6-1 and they were headed into a showdown with USC. Masoli was more than up to the challenge as he annihilated the Trojans, throwing for 222 yards and a TD and rushing for 164 yards and a TD on only 13 carries as the Ducks blew out the Trojans and made themselves the Pac-10 favorites. Enthusiasm was somewhat tempered the following week as the Ducks lost to Stanford, but Masoli was big again, throwing for a season high 334 yards and 3 TDs and adding 55 yards and a TD on the ground as the Ducks lost a shootout. He brought the team home down the stretch in fine style, throwing for 120 yards and 2 TDs and adding 67 rushing yards in beating Arizona State; and then electrifying the audience against Arizona by throwing for 284 yards and 3 TDs and rushing for 61 yards and 3 more scores. This all set up the rivalry showdown with Oregon State with the Rose Bowl berth on the line. Masoli responded by throwing for 201 yards and a TD and gaining 40 yards on the ground, good enough to lead his team past the Beavers and into Pasadena. What all of this shows is that Masoli faced significant challenges throughout the course of the year, and he responded overwhelmingly after the opener, leading his team to a 10-1 record down the stretch and having his best games against USC and Arizona, who were thought to be his toughest competition. After the opener, the Ducks scored at least 37 points in 9 of the 10 games he was in the lineup, scoring more than 40 in five straight games in the heart of the schedule. Clearly, he is the leader of the offense and a formidable opponent for the highest quality of defense.
The backup is fellow junior Nate Costa (#7). He played in 4 games, seeing significant action in the Washington State game and starting the UCLA game when Masoli was hurt, so he does have some game experience. In his one start, he completed 9 of 17 for 82 yards with a TD and an INT against a relatively mediocre UCLA team. He is also not the running threat Masoli is, gaining only 18 yards on 16 carries and taking 4 sacks in just 33 pass attempts. Costa can run the offense, and he has plenty of help, but clearly the loss of Masoli would be crippling for the Ducks in a game of this magnitude.
QB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State QBs
Masoli: 168/285 (58.9%), 2066 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs, 133.7 rating; 115/659, 12 TDs
Pryor: 144/258 (55.8%), 1828 yards, 16 TDs, 10 INTs, 128.0 rating; 142/707, 7 TDs
Masoli's passing numbers are similar to those of Tate Forcier before Ohio state played Michigan...the rushing numbers are nowhere near the same, however, as Masoli is an absolutely deadly dual threat who can kill a team with his legs much like Pryor can. The passing numbers are pretty similar here...Pryor has a bit lower completion percentage and has thrown more interceptions. He also took 18 sacks to Masoli's 9. Unlike Pryor, who basically ran a conservative gameplan as part of an overall strategy the final month of the season, Masoli had 3 of his 4 best passing games at the end of the year, so he may be playing with a bit more confidence and he might be a bit more ready for a wide open playbook than Pryor will be. On the flip side, he will be facing a much tougher front 7, though Oregon is reasonably good in that respect as well. Masoli had monster games against Stanford, Arizona, and Oregon State down the stretch, and he accounted for 13 total TDs over the final 4 games. Those numbers are superior to Pryor, though based more on gameplan than talent. It will be very interesting to see what kind of playbook Pryor has to work with, and how much the coaching staff will open up the offense, especially if they get an early lead. Talent here is about even, and the style of play is similar, but Masoli has been a little more careful with the football, a bit more consistent throughout the year, and has been very, very good down the stretch, so give Oregon a slight edge. Neither team has much in reserve.
Edge: Oregon
Running Backs
TB #21 LaMichael James (5-9, 180, FR, Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX)
TB #24 Kenjon Barner (5-11, 180, FR, Notre Dame HS, Riverside, CA)
TB #22 Andre Crenshaw (5-11, 188, SR, Antelope Valley HS, Lancaster, CA)
TB #9 LeGarrette Blount (6-2, 246, SR, Taylor County HS, Perry, FL)
The tailback position at Oregon is in great hands despite the early season dismissal of Blount, who remains a wild card as evidenced by the Oregon State game, where he returned to action and looked extremely effective, gaining 51 yards on 9 carries and scoring a TD. After Blount's dismissal, the freshman James stepped into the starter's role by the third game and has never looked back, racking up one of the best seasons for a back in the country, gaining almost 1500 yards and scoring 14 TDs on a ridiculous 6.9 yards a carry. He's a small, shifty back who can hit the opening very quickly and decisively, and he is always a big play waiting to happen. He didn't average less than 5.6 yards a carry in any game this year, so no team was really able to figure out how to stop him. He gained over 100 yards in 9 of the last 10 games, and averaged over 6 yards a carry in the final 8. He is also, not surprisingly, a threat out of the backfield, as he has 13 receptions for 143 yards on the season. He started off with 2 carries for 22 yards in the opener, and then had 9 carries for 56 yards against Purdue, both in a reserve role. His first start came against Utah the following game, where he gained 152 yards on 27 carries and scored a TD. He then gained 188 and scored a TD against Cal and then gained 81 yards and scored twice in the laugher against Washington State. He gained 152 against UCLA and 154 with 2 TDs against Washington, setting up the USC contest. In that game, James dominated, gaining 183 yards and scoring a TD, and he followed that up with 125 on the ground and 89 receiving yards with a TD in the loss to Stanford. He closed the season in grand fashion, gaining 150 yards and scoring 3 TDs against Arizona State, gaining 117 against Arizona, and then, with the Rose Bowl on the line, he responded with 166 yards and 3 TDs against arch-rival Oregon State. Clearly, he's been dominant since he stepped into the lineup, and the Buckeyes will have to make him target number one to slow down this Oregon offense. He could be a Heisman candidate as early as next season.
The Ducks are also blessed with considerable depth at the position. Barner is a speedy freshman defensive back who is also a major factor in the return game. He is second on the team in rushing yards and converted a key 4th down at the end of the game against Oregon State, so he could be a factor in the Rose Bowl at some point. Crenshaw is an established program veteran who started the Purdue game, gaining 23 yards and scoring a TD. He also gained 48 yards and scored a TD against Washington State, but has played sparingly the past month. He may see the field, but is unlikely to be a major factor. Blount, a preseason favorite for many awards, is obviously the wild card in the entire situation. He looked strong in the final game, making some tough runs in the second half. He could be a big factor should the Ducks get the lead as the game wears on. He and James create a "thunder and lightning" effect that will be very difficult for the Buckeyes (or any defense) to stop. How much he will play is, of course, a mystery, as he is not listed on the depth chart.
RB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State RBs
James: 215/1476 yards, 14 TDs, 6.9 YPC; 13 rec/143 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Barner: 54/302 yards, 3 TDs, 5.6 YPC; 3 rec/17 yards, 0 TDs, 5.7 YPR
Crenshaw: 50/152 yards, 3 TDs, 3.0 YPC; 3 rec/26 yards, 0 TDs, 8.7 YPR
Blount: 17/46 yards, 1 TD, 2.7 YPC; 2 rec/13 yards, 0 TDs, 6.5 YPR
Saine: 131/694 yards, 4 TDs, 5.3 YPC; 15 rec/165 yards, 1 TD, 11.0 YPR
Herron: 139/558 yards, 7 TDs, 4.0 YPC; 8 rec/48 yards, 1 TD, 6.0 YPR
Hall: 48/248 yards, 1 TD, 5.2 YPC; 1 rec/5 yards, 0 TDs, 5.0 YPR
James was the major factor for the Ducks all season, whereas the Buckeyes had 2 players, Saine and Herron, who shared the load equally this season. Both Buckeyes had their moments, though neither was the dominant back Buckeye fans are used to seeing. Towards the end of the season, both got healthy and played much better down the stretch, and both will be important to the success of the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Neither, however, stacks up to James, who was a great player all season against every defense he saw. His ability to break the big play makes him one of the most dangerous backs in the country. Barner and Crenshaw probably won't be huge factors in the game, though Barner did see action at critical times against Oregon State and he is a player they want to get the ball to as often as possible, because he has as much or more big play potential as James, given his production in the return game. Blount adds another dimension to the picture that few teams have, and combined with James, he makes the Ducks devastating on the ground. If Blount plays a significant amount in the Rose Bowl (10-15 carries), it will make the Ducks all that much tougher to stop. The Buckeyes have 2 solid players, either of whom could have a breakout game, and they also have promising freshman on the horizon, but they do not have the firepower that the Ducks have here this year.
Edge: Oregon
Wide Receivers
WR #10 D.J. Davis (6-1, 205, JR, Montbello HS, Denver, CO)
WR #23 Jeff Maehl (6-1, 175, JR, Paradise HS, Paradise, CA)
WR #80 Lavasier Tuinei (6-5, 200, SO, Hamilton Heights HS, Arcadia, IN)
WR #19 Jamere Holland (6-1, 185, JR, Taft HS, Pacoima, CA)
The Ducks often use 3 wideouts, and employ 4 in their primary rotation. Maehl is perhaps the best of the group, and he has started every game this season and has 28 straight starts in his career. He was second on the team in receptions last season, and leads the team this year in receptions (52), yards (686), and TDs (6), far and away more than any other WR. He has come on especially strong down the stretch, as his four most productive games were the final 4 of the season, where he caught 5 for 66 yards and a TD against Stanford, 4 for 62 yards and a TD against Arizona State, and then broke the 100 yard mark 2 times to close the season, catching 12 for 114 and 2 TDs against Arizona and then closing with 6 receptions for 138 yards and a TD against Oregon State. He has good size and good speed, and he can run precise routes and also get open downfield. Fellow junior Davis made 8 starts later in the season. His production isn't overwhelming, but has been consistent, as he had at least 2 receptions in the final 6 games and scored twice, once against Washington and again against Stanford. He has good size and is a big target over the middle and in the red zone. Tuinei is a young player with good size who started 8 games as well. His production has been sporadic, but his highlights include 4 receptions for 53 yards against USC and 4 for 60 yards against Arizona, so he has produced in the important games, as those are his 2 best totals on the year. Holland started the first 2 contests but has played sporadically since. His highlights include 3 receptions for 33 yards and a TD against USC and a 40 yard TD against Stanford. He has just 3 receptions in the past 4 games, so his production could be limited in the Rose Bowl. Sophomore Garrett Embry (#86) rounds out the primary chart. He has just 2 receptions on the season and doesn't look as if he'll see the field much in Pasadena, if at all.
WR Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State WRs
Maehl: 52 receptions, 686 yards, 6 TDs, 13.2 YPR
Davis: 22 receptions, 230 yards, 2 TDs, 10.5 YPR
Holland: 13 receptions, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 15.3 YPR
Tuinei: 22 receptions, 187 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Posey: 52 receptions, 727 yards, 7 TDs, 14.0 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 27 receptions, 506 yards, 6 TDs, 18.7 YPR
Maehl is a quality player who has produced all season for the Ducks. His numbers are similar to Posey, as both are clearly the top receivers on their respective teams. Davis and Tuinei are each capable of creating mismatches and having big games, but like Sanzenbacher their production has not been as consistent as the top shelf players. The loss of Carter and Small hurts the Buckeyes in depth and in 3 receiver sets. Holland hasn't produced much recently and doesn't figure to be a major factor. All in all, both teams are similar in terms of numbers, with Posey perhaps being a bit more dangerous of a receiver but with Oregon having better depth. This one is too close to call, especially as their production only goes as the QBs go.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #83 Ed Dickson (6-5, 243, SR, Bellflower HS, Bellflower, CA)
TE #42 David Paulson (6-4, 233, SO, Riverside HS, Auburn, WA)
Much like many of the teams in the Big Ten and like Oregon's last Rose Bowl team, this Ducks squad features power at the TE position. Dickson is the career leader in receiving for TEs at Oregon, passing fellow Rose Bowl participant and game hero for the Ducks (11 receptions, 135 yards in a losing cause in 1994) Josh Wilcox, and was Oregon's lone representative on the Pac-10 first team offense in 2009. Dickson has good size, good power, good hands, and reasonable speed for a man his size. His best game came against Cal, where he caught 11 passes for 148 yards and scored 3 TDs, leading the Ducks to the blowout win. He also caught 7 for 103 yards and a TD against Washington State and 5 for 63 yards and a TD against Arizona. He had at least 3 receptions in 7 games and scored 6 TDs. He is obviously able to dominate a game if a defense doesn't compensate for him over the middle. Fellow TE Paulson started 5 games and also contributed consistently in the passing game, with 12 receptions for 185 yards on the season. Both are also good blockers who are important to the highly successful Oregon ground attack. This is a position of considerable strength for the Ducks, and they would match up well against any team in the country here.
TE Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State TEs
Dickson: 42 receptions, 551 yards, 6 TDs, 13.1 YPR
Paulson: 12 receptions, 185 yards, 0 TDs, 15.4 YPR
Ballard: 13 receptions, 126 yards, 0 TDs, 9.7 YPR
Stoneburner: 2 receptions, 30 yards, 0 TDs, 15.0 YPR
Not much of a contest here, as the Buckeyes don't utilize their TE in the passing game with any regularity. Ballard is a solid player, but Dickson and Paulson lead the way.
Edge: Oregon
Offensive Line
LT #69 Bo Thran (6-5, 293, JR, Barlow HS, Gresham, OR)
LG #77 Carson York (6-5, 285, FR, Lake City HS, Coeur d'Alene, ID)
C #54 Jordan Holmes (6-5, 285, JR, Yuba City HS, Yuba City, CA)
RG #79 Mark Asper (6-7, 323, SO, Bonneville HS, Idaho Falls, ID)
RT #68 C.E. Kaiser (6-4, 290, JR, Central Valley HS, Veradale, WA)
The Ducks do not have an especially celebrated group, as only LT Thran was even honorable mention Pac-10 in 2009. They are, however, a solid and cohesive unit that mixes power and agility to bulldoze the way for the devastating Oregon running attack. Thran is an agile and versatile lineman who made all 12 starts this year, 11 at LT and one at LG after starting 5 games last season (4 LG, 1 RT). He has good size and good footwork and was named the team's top offensive lineman this season. York is also a young and versatile player who can play all along the interior effectively, starting 11 games at LG and one at RG in 2009 after seeing time at center in the spring. He made several freshman award teams and appears to have a good deal of upside. In the middle, Holmes started all 12 games after making 4 starts at LG in 2008. He is another quick and agile lineman in the spread option mold, and he is both smart (Pac-10 All Academic team) and tough (winner of the team's "Pancake Club" award after leading the team with 55). He can also play all along the interior. On the right side, Asper is a monster who started 11 games at RG, missing the start against USC only due to injury. He is a tall, strong, powerful lineman who is especially effective at run blocking. He also brings a wealth of life experience and leadership to the unit after being away on a religious mission. Kaiser started 10 games at RT last year and made 11 starts this season. He has had some injury problems but has battled through them to remain effecting at the edge of the line. All in all, this is a solid if unspectacular group that works well together and has built a good deal of cohesion, as they have missed very, very little collective time due to injury.
The backups include a variety of players, including two who have starts in their career. Freshman Nick Cody (#61) started one game at RT and appears to have a lot of upside. Sophomore fellow tackle Darrion Weems (#74) also started one game this year at LT and has plenty of game experience if needed. Along the interior, sophomores Charlie Carmichael (#76) and Ramsen Golpashin (#70) man the guard spots, while junior Max Forer (#64) is the reserve at center. These 3 players have only 9 collective games played between them this season, so the Ducks are pretty thin across the middle. If an injury happens, look for a tackle to slide in and for one of the backups at those positions to enter the game.
OL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus Ohio State OL
This could be the one spot that the Ducks are somewhat vulnerable, as they have a strong, intelligent and cohesive unit, but one that lacks star power and a dominant force and one that could be a bit undersized to go against the ferocious Buckeye front wall. The Buckeye offensive line woes were well-documented all season, but the star power is greater and the unit has played with a great deal more tenacity in recent games. The Buckeyes also have some quality depth, something the Ducks don't really have much of, especially along the interior of the line. This of course was partly because of their good fortune to stay healthy, but could be a problem if someone misses significant time in the game. Both lines will be critical to the success of their respective teams in this game, as the Buckeyes will need to establish the run and keep the heat off of Pryor, and the Ducks will have to do the same thing against a front seven that is probably better than any they have faced this season. The Ducks can hold their own here, but look for Boren and company to make their presence felt, especially if the Buckeyes nab a second half lead.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
The Ducks barely missed out on the top 5 nationally in rushing the football, even after the loss of what was supposedly their best player after a single ineffective game. What they ended up with instead was a fine balance of an explosive freshman running back who churned out huge run after huge run and a QB who can make big plays both running and passing the ball at any time. That competitive balance was key for the Ducks to be as impressive as they were, And it led to the offense running roughshod over the Pac-10 for much of the season. The drop in production when Masoli was out is noticeable, but they didn't skip a beat losing Blount, who is now back and adds tremendous depth and lethal power running in the second half if called upon, as seen in the Oregon State game. It will be important for the Buckeyes to try and slow the running game down early, forcing Masoli into some third and long situations he will not be as comfortable in. The Ducks were terrible at converting 3rd downs in general this year, so the Buckeyes will generate a huge advantage if they can put them there consistently with significant yards to gain. What they especially have to look out for is the big play, something the Ducks have feasted on all year. If they can turn this into a grind-it-out type of game, the Buckeyes will have the advantage, though if Blount plays significantly he could even the odds there somewhat. This is a really good offensive unit with one of the best backfields in the country. They miss the A grades only because of their very low 3rd down conversion percentage and their lack of star power at WR and along the OL. The Buckeyes will also have to watch out for the TE position, which is lethal over the middle and could rack up big yardage if unaccounted for. All in all, the Ducks give any defense plenty to think about, and execute their gameplan very, very well.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
Returning Starters: 7
Nick Aliotti has been a part of Oregon's staff for a total of 18 years in three separate stints. The 55 year old former Running Back (UC Davis) was, between his time with the Ducks, a defensive assistant and special teams coach teams with the 1995-97 St. Louis Rams and also spent one year as UCLA's defensive coordinator. After returning to Oregon in 2000, he was a recipient of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2001. In 18 years with the Ducks, he's developed 25 players which were drafted by the NFL, most notably Haloti Ngata. With a philosophy which expects aggressive play and high energy, Aliotti has headed up defenses which have been good at generating sacks and creating takeaways - 40 and 31 last year, for example. While he also has a philosophy which focuses on limiting an opponent's rushing game, the Ducks' best season in that regard since 2000 was in 2003 when they yielded 107.1 per game. Aliotti's had to retool his 2009 defense as several of last year's mainstays have moved on and he has also had to contend with several injuries to key personnel along the way (particularly in the secondary), accounting for some of the drop in production in 2009. The defense benefits some from a high powered offense which can keep the scoring pace with just about everyone, but also finds itself on the field more than it might like as a result.
Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|Pass..|INT.| Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|3rd D..|.PCT..|Red Zone.|.PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Oregon......|.23.6..|..329.4..|126.7.|202.8.|.13.| 11..|.32..|.213..|69-190.|.36%..|.34-44...|.77%.|.26-44.|59%.|33:02|
Ohio State..|.12.2..|..262.5..|.83.4.|179.1.|.23.|.10..|.29..|.177..|56-177.|.32%..|.17-23...|.74%.|.13-23.|57%.|29:20|
* TOF = Time on Field (Opponent's T.O.P)
As shown above, Ohio State enjoys statistical advantages in every category except fumbles and sacks, where the Buckeyes trail by just 1 lost football and 3 sacks. The Ducks give up a TD and FG more per contest and are on the field an average of 4 more minutes than are the Buckeyes. Some of the more critical differences between Ohio State and Oregon can be found in the difference in first downs yielded, 3rd down performance and red zone opportunities against (and scores). In short, Ohio State has been much better at making opponents work for their yards and scores, while Oregon has room to improve. Oregon's defense is about average, or perhaps slightly above average, in the Pac 10 in the major statistical categories while Ohio State's defense is among the best in the nation. For those interested, Oregon requires 13.97 yards per point (97.79/ TD) and 3.05 Plays Per Point (21.35/ TD) which compare to Ohio State's 21.58 YPP (151.06/TD) and 5.3 PPP (37.1/TD).
Defensive Line
LE #39 Will Tukuafu (6-4, 272, Sr.)
DT #88 Brandon Bair (6-7, 250, Jr.)
DT #90 Blake Ferras (6-6, 290, Sr.)
RE #58 Kenny Rowe (6-3, 230, Jr.)
The front four is led, production wise, by Bair a first year starter in the interior. With his size and wingspan, he has little trouble disrupting passing lanes while also showing the ability to get into the backfield in a hurry. He is not the most accomplished or consistent run stuffer, but isn't a liability inside either. He has 43 tackles, 7.5 for loss with 2 sacks this season. Starting alongside of Bair on the inside is Ferras, a former JUCO who saw action in 7 games last season. As his size suggests he is the most likely to plug up holes and occupy offensive linemen, but he also has a decent burst and can force opposing QBs to leave the pocket, or make the occasional backfield stop. He has 33 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 2 sacks entering the Rose Bowl. Rowe is listed at 230, but he might be lighter than that. He's not likely to bull-rush anyone and expect consistent success, but he is very, very quick and poses problems for slow footed O-Linemen as a consequence. As the line's most likely candidate to get in to the backfield, it's no surprise he leads the Ducks with 11 TFLs and 8.5 sacks among his total of 36 tackles. He also has forced 3 fumbles and recovered 1. Coming into 2009, it was Tufuaku who was expected to be the line's most consistent force. He had an outstaning junior season which saw him make 59 tackles with 17.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, but has not enjoyed the same production this season. Still, he's aggressive and strong and equally adept on passing downs and running downs. He has 35 stops, 6.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Depth for the front four is provided by ends: #45 Terrell Turner (6-3, 248, So.), and #33 Tyrell Irvin (6-1, 219, Jr.), and tackles: #99 Zac Clark (6-2, 256, Jr.), and #50 Simi Toeaina (6-4, 318, Sr.). Both Turner and Clark have played in each of Oregon's games this season, while both Irvin and Toeaina failed to see the field against Arizona the week before the Oregon State showdown. In any event, it is Turner who leads the reserves in production. He has made 19 tackles, 4 for loss with 3 sacks while also recovering a fumble. Clark is a JUCO transfer who has his sights on Tukuafu's job as the latter, a senior, will be playing in his last game against the Buckeyes. In his first campaign in Division One football, Clark has 17 tackles with 1 for loss. Despite playing just one game less than the rest of their linemates, neither Toeaina nor Irvin have been particularly productive when called upon. Toeaina has 10 tackles with 1 for loss, while Irvin has made just 5 stops with a sack.
DL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU DL
Cameron Heyward - 42 Tackles, 9 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Rec.
Todd Denlinger - 14 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT
Doug Worthington - 40 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble Rec.
Thaddeus Gibson - 41 Tackles, 11 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 Fumble Rec.
Perhaps some of the difference is due to the different styles of football played in the Midwest and the West Coast, but the Buckeye line is more productive in terms of tackles, while both team's front four enjoy similar tackle numbers behind the LOS. The starting 4 of Oregon have 15 sacks while the Buckeyes front has 13.5, but the Ducks have also faced more passing attempts against them than have Ohio State. The Ohio State line has been better at stopping the run, helping limit opponents to 83.4 per contest while the Ducks have yielded a total of 126.7 yards per game. Duck opponents are averaging 3.4 yards per carry, and Buckeye opponents just 2.7. Likewise, the Buckeyes D-Line enjoys more productive depth. While the Ducks second line has made a total of 56 tackles, the Buckeyes rotation nearly matches that total if we count just Nathan Williams' 25 (8 for loss) and Wilson's 21. Wilson also has an INT giving the Buckeyes 3 picks from men who line up with their hands down, just one less than Oregon's team leader in the secondary. While the Buckeyes will be without the services of Rob Rose, the Buckeyes will not hesitate to bring in John Simon, Garrett Goebel, and Dex Larimore, bringing the rotation to 9 deep. Inasmuch as Oregon's offense relies on speed instead of power, it is good that the Buckeyes have as much depth and can keep fresh legs in the game. The Buckeyes will have their work cut out for them as Oregon's offense creates situations where D-Line mistakes can be exploited for big chunks of yards. Oregon would also be wise to utilize quick passes and move Masoli around to neutralize the pressure Ohio State can create. Conversely, the Ducks will probably face a steady diet of power runs which might serve to wear Oregon down by game's end. Of course, the Buckeyes also have a mobile QB in Terrelle Pryor and chances are Pryor's legs will be a factor in Ohio State's success come game time. Ohio State tends to avoid the quick passing game, relying instead on mid-range and deep routes. Oregon should look to make Pryor throw before he's ready, and they have the speed to do just that. Still, in the final analysis, while the Ducks' line is good, the Buckeyes' line is a tough group for any other college team to match. As a consequence Ohio State enjoys an edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
WLB #35 Spencer Paysinger (6-3, 234, Jr.)
MLB #55 Casey Matthews (6-2, 235, Jr.)
SLB #11 Eddie Pleasant (5-11, 223, So.)
The linebacking corps is lead by Matthews, a familiar name in Pac 10 football. The son of a former NFL player and brother of former USC LB Clay Matthews, it's obvious he has the pedigree. As such, it's little surprise that Matthews is fundamentally sound in all phases of the game and is quick to read and react. After a sophomore season which saw him displace a senior for the starting job, Matthews continues to grow and leads all LBs with 72 tackles, 4 for loss with 2.5 sacks and a pick. Paysinger is a former wide receiver who burst onto the defensive scene last season where he made 95 tackles with 12 behind the LOS. It's not a surprise to hear that Paysinger is strong in coverage and demonstrates excellent speed in covering a big chunk of real estate. As yet, however, these abilities have not translated into interceptions. He is tied with Matthews for the lead in LB tackles with 72, 6.5 for loss with a sack. Rounding out the starting three is Pleasant, a top reserve and special teams standout last season. He has very good speed and as a result is probably the Ducks' most viable blitz threat. Strong and active, he leads all LBs in backfield stops with 7 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He is sixth on the team with 50 total tackles and has an interception to go along with a team leading 3 fumble recoveries.
LBs #46 Michael Clay (5-11, 220, Fr.), #43 Bryson Littlejohn (6-1, 227, Jr.), and #47 Kiko Alonso (6-4, 225, r-Fr.) are the chief replacements. The most productive reserve LB is Clay, a speedy freshman who loves to bring the wood. He has had a very good first season on campus, seeing action in each of the Ducks' 12 games thus far, recording 30 tackles with a sack. After Clay, however, the Ducks' production drops off. Much of this is owing to a season-ending foot injury to Josh Kaddu, a 6-3, 210 pound sophomore who was playing very well before the injury (21 tackles, 4 for loss with a sack in 7 games). Alonso has 15 tackles in 11 games with one TFL while Littlejohn has just 9 stops in 10 games.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU LBs
Ross Homan - 96 Tackles, 5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 4 INT, 2 Fumble Rec.
Brian Rolle - 92 Tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Rec.
Austin Spitler - 38 Tackles, 5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT
As the numbers show Ohio State's LB corps has been more productive. It seems counter to what one would naturally think when comparing a Pac 10 team to a Big Ten team, but Oregon's LB production has come against 446 rushing attempts against, while the Buckeyes have faced 377 runs. This difference is indicative of Oregon having to rely on its secondary to make stops in the running game. Likewise, and also counter to what one might think before looking, Ohio State's LBs are much more likely to be in passing lanes, having made 6 picks as a starting unit, compared to Oregon's 2 INTs. The simple fact is, Oregon's defense has faced 90 more plays overall than has Ohio State, but despite those 90 opportunities have less production from their front seven than does Ohio State. Inasmuch as Ohio State likes to run the football and control the clock, Oregon's front seven will need to demonstrate that they can produce consistently. If the secondary is required to assist in run support, the mid-range to deep passing game might work especially well off of play action. Ohio State's corps will, no doubt, face challenges as well, but the "safe bet" is that the Buckeyes LBs are more likely to rise to that challenge and they get the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
RCB #37 Talmadge Jackson (5-10, 182, Jr.)
ROV #14 Javes Lewis (6-1, 185, So.)
FS #2 T.J. Ward (5-11, 201, Sr.)
LCB #3 Cliff Harris (5-11, 170, Fr.)
The secondary has had to make several adjustments on the fly this season. On the opening kick of the Cal game Oregon lost starting corner Walter Thumond, who was anticipated to be among Oregon's defensive leaders. He had made 17 tackles with a pick before his season was ended. Likewise, T.J. Ward missed extended time with injury in the middle part of the year. A former walk-on, Ward has become the key leader of the secondary. After an exceptional junior campaign where he lead the team with 101 tackles, Ward was poised for a strong senior season before the injury. After returning to the field against Washington, he has played very well displaying a nose for the football and bringing the big hit. He has 58 tackles, 2.5 for loss with an INT this season. Lewis has stepped up and delivered plenty of production in his second season. Expected to be Ward's chief backup and heir apparent, Lewis has instead started every game this season and provides the Ducks with both solid run support and good coverage. He is second on the team with 77 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 2 sacks, 2 picks and 1 fumble recovery. Jackson displays outstanding speed, but is also one of the team's strongest hitters. After a 30 tackle campaign last season as a reserve, the junior has improved his production this year recording 46 tackles, 1.5 for loss and has a team leading 4 INTs. It's hard to call the starter opposite Jackson. The Official Website lists Harris, a talented freshman who has 2 starts this season, though has only played in 7 games and did not get the opening call against Oregon State. He has 16 tackles and a pick this year.
Corners: #18 Anthony Gildon (6-1, 175, So.), and #7 Chad Peppars (5-10, 185, Jr.), and safeties: #1 Marvin Johnson (5-11, 199, Jr.), and #20 John Boyett (5-10, 190, r-Fr.) are also in the mix. Boyett isn't your typical reserve. In fact Boyett has started 9 games this season beginning the week Ward went down. While he did not start in games against Arizona State and Arizona, he was once again on the field for the Civil War against Oregon State. As well he should have been, since he is the team's leader in tackles with 78, 1 of those for a loss, with 2 picks. Just a redshirt freshman, Boyett is quickly establishing himself as Oregon's leader in the secondary for years to come. Don't be surprised if he takes the first snap against Ohio State, despite the official site's depth chart. Johnson is a solid reserve safety who has returned from major knee surgery. He has played in every game this season, recording 24 tackles. Gildon has two starts to his credit, but has only 5 tackles in a total of 7 games, while Peppars has just 3 stops in 7 games.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU DBs
Chimdi Chekwa - 43 Tackles, 1 INT
Jermale Hines - 56 Tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT
Kurt Coleman - 64 Tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 5 INT, 1 Fumble Rec.
Devon Torrence - 33 Tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT
The Buckeye's secondary has certainly had less disruption to its lineup over the course of the season. As alluded to above, the Duck secondary has more tackles from Boyett and Lewis than the Buckeyes get from Hines and Coleman, but this seems to be the result of different responsibilities in the context of their respective defenses. The Buckeyes starting 4 have 10 picks, while it takes every DB on Oregon's roster to better than number with their total of 11. As mentioned above, it's notable that the Buckeyes have more INTs in fewer attempts against, and might be indicative of Oregon's secondary not being afforded the luxury of keeping the bulk of their focus on the passing game, instead of helping out in the run game. Regarding depth, Oregon has been fortunate that despite injuries to key players it has been able to plug ahead which will serve to help them in the long run. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have a former starter in Anderson Russell on the bench and also will play Andre Amos, who himself has started a number of games for Ohio State this season before Torrence won the position. Since the Buckeyes have given up less yards, both total and per completion, have more INTs and have yielded 6 less scores than the Ducks have through the air, the edge here also goes to Ohio State.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
At the risk of sounding harsh, neither Oregon nor the Pac 10 generally are known for their defense. That does not mean that the Oregon stop-forces will simply roll over come January 1, 2010, but Ohio State fans should expect there to be some holes for the Buckeye offense to exploit just the same. Oregon, despite attention to opposing running games, seems to struggle getting consistent stops and also seems to rely on its secondary for run support. If the Buckeyes are able to establish the running game early, the secondary will have to cheat up, which could then open the mid to long range passing routes quite a bit, especially over the middle. The good news for Ducks fans - should this be the case - is that Ohio State's offense has not been especially adept at exploiting the middle of the field. Oregon likes to try and create pressure on the QB and force turnovers. They will have their work cut out for them trying to corral Terrelle Pryor, but if they do get him flustered he has been known to throw the errant pass or even put the ball on the ground. As Buckeye fans know, he progressed in both categories by the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see how tightly the coaches have him reined in come game time. If Pryor is able to get yards or time with his legs, Oregon will have to hope its offense is able to move the ball against the Buckeyes defense with consistency. While Oregon does have the offense to anticipate success moving the ball, they'd be better served to try and keep the Buckeyes off the scoreboard.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
2009 Oregon Ducks Special Teams PreviewStats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|Pass..|INT.| Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|3rd D..|.PCT..|Red Zone.|.PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Oregon......|.23.6..|..329.4..|126.7.|202.8.|.13.| 11..|.32..|.213..|69-190.|.36%..|.34-44...|.77%.|.26-44.|59%.|33:02|
Ohio State..|.12.2..|..262.5..|.83.4.|179.1.|.23.|.10..|.29..|.177..|56-177.|.32%..|.17-23...|.74%.|.13-23.|57%.|29:20|
* TOF = Time on Field (Opponent's T.O.P)
As shown above, Ohio State enjoys statistical advantages in every category except fumbles and sacks, where the Buckeyes trail by just 1 lost football and 3 sacks. The Ducks give up a TD and FG more per contest and are on the field an average of 4 more minutes than are the Buckeyes. Some of the more critical differences between Ohio State and Oregon can be found in the difference in first downs yielded, 3rd down performance and red zone opportunities against (and scores). In short, Ohio State has been much better at making opponents work for their yards and scores, while Oregon has room to improve. Oregon's defense is about average, or perhaps slightly above average, in the Pac 10 in the major statistical categories while Ohio State's defense is among the best in the nation. For those interested, Oregon requires 13.97 yards per point (97.79/ TD) and 3.05 Plays Per Point (21.35/ TD) which compare to Ohio State's 21.58 YPP (151.06/TD) and 5.3 PPP (37.1/TD).
Defensive Line
LE #39 Will Tukuafu (6-4, 272, Sr.)
DT #88 Brandon Bair (6-7, 250, Jr.)
DT #90 Blake Ferras (6-6, 290, Sr.)
RE #58 Kenny Rowe (6-3, 230, Jr.)
The front four is led, production wise, by Bair a first year starter in the interior. With his size and wingspan, he has little trouble disrupting passing lanes while also showing the ability to get into the backfield in a hurry. He is not the most accomplished or consistent run stuffer, but isn't a liability inside either. He has 43 tackles, 7.5 for loss with 2 sacks this season. Starting alongside of Bair on the inside is Ferras, a former JUCO who saw action in 7 games last season. As his size suggests he is the most likely to plug up holes and occupy offensive linemen, but he also has a decent burst and can force opposing QBs to leave the pocket, or make the occasional backfield stop. He has 33 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 2 sacks entering the Rose Bowl. Rowe is listed at 230, but he might be lighter than that. He's not likely to bull-rush anyone and expect consistent success, but he is very, very quick and poses problems for slow footed O-Linemen as a consequence. As the line's most likely candidate to get in to the backfield, it's no surprise he leads the Ducks with 11 TFLs and 8.5 sacks among his total of 36 tackles. He also has forced 3 fumbles and recovered 1. Coming into 2009, it was Tufuaku who was expected to be the line's most consistent force. He had an outstaning junior season which saw him make 59 tackles with 17.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, but has not enjoyed the same production this season. Still, he's aggressive and strong and equally adept on passing downs and running downs. He has 35 stops, 6.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Depth for the front four is provided by ends: #45 Terrell Turner (6-3, 248, So.), and #33 Tyrell Irvin (6-1, 219, Jr.), and tackles: #99 Zac Clark (6-2, 256, Jr.), and #50 Simi Toeaina (6-4, 318, Sr.). Both Turner and Clark have played in each of Oregon's games this season, while both Irvin and Toeaina failed to see the field against Arizona the week before the Oregon State showdown. In any event, it is Turner who leads the reserves in production. He has made 19 tackles, 4 for loss with 3 sacks while also recovering a fumble. Clark is a JUCO transfer who has his sights on Tukuafu's job as the latter, a senior, will be playing in his last game against the Buckeyes. In his first campaign in Division One football, Clark has 17 tackles with 1 for loss. Despite playing just one game less than the rest of their linemates, neither Toeaina nor Irvin have been particularly productive when called upon. Toeaina has 10 tackles with 1 for loss, while Irvin has made just 5 stops with a sack.
DL Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU DL
Cameron Heyward - 42 Tackles, 9 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Rec.
Todd Denlinger - 14 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT
Doug Worthington - 40 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble Rec.
Thaddeus Gibson - 41 Tackles, 11 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 Fumble Rec.
Perhaps some of the difference is due to the different styles of football played in the Midwest and the West Coast, but the Buckeye line is more productive in terms of tackles, while both team's front four enjoy similar tackle numbers behind the LOS. The starting 4 of Oregon have 15 sacks while the Buckeyes front has 13.5, but the Ducks have also faced more passing attempts against them than have Ohio State. The Ohio State line has been better at stopping the run, helping limit opponents to 83.4 per contest while the Ducks have yielded a total of 126.7 yards per game. Duck opponents are averaging 3.4 yards per carry, and Buckeye opponents just 2.7. Likewise, the Buckeyes D-Line enjoys more productive depth. While the Ducks second line has made a total of 56 tackles, the Buckeyes rotation nearly matches that total if we count just Nathan Williams' 25 (8 for loss) and Wilson's 21. Wilson also has an INT giving the Buckeyes 3 picks from men who line up with their hands down, just one less than Oregon's team leader in the secondary. While the Buckeyes will be without the services of Rob Rose, the Buckeyes will not hesitate to bring in John Simon, Garrett Goebel, and Dex Larimore, bringing the rotation to 9 deep. Inasmuch as Oregon's offense relies on speed instead of power, it is good that the Buckeyes have as much depth and can keep fresh legs in the game. The Buckeyes will have their work cut out for them as Oregon's offense creates situations where D-Line mistakes can be exploited for big chunks of yards. Oregon would also be wise to utilize quick passes and move Masoli around to neutralize the pressure Ohio State can create. Conversely, the Ducks will probably face a steady diet of power runs which might serve to wear Oregon down by game's end. Of course, the Buckeyes also have a mobile QB in Terrelle Pryor and chances are Pryor's legs will be a factor in Ohio State's success come game time. Ohio State tends to avoid the quick passing game, relying instead on mid-range and deep routes. Oregon should look to make Pryor throw before he's ready, and they have the speed to do just that. Still, in the final analysis, while the Ducks' line is good, the Buckeyes' line is a tough group for any other college team to match. As a consequence Ohio State enjoys an edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
WLB #35 Spencer Paysinger (6-3, 234, Jr.)
MLB #55 Casey Matthews (6-2, 235, Jr.)
SLB #11 Eddie Pleasant (5-11, 223, So.)
The linebacking corps is lead by Matthews, a familiar name in Pac 10 football. The son of a former NFL player and brother of former USC LB Clay Matthews, it's obvious he has the pedigree. As such, it's little surprise that Matthews is fundamentally sound in all phases of the game and is quick to read and react. After a sophomore season which saw him displace a senior for the starting job, Matthews continues to grow and leads all LBs with 72 tackles, 4 for loss with 2.5 sacks and a pick. Paysinger is a former wide receiver who burst onto the defensive scene last season where he made 95 tackles with 12 behind the LOS. It's not a surprise to hear that Paysinger is strong in coverage and demonstrates excellent speed in covering a big chunk of real estate. As yet, however, these abilities have not translated into interceptions. He is tied with Matthews for the lead in LB tackles with 72, 6.5 for loss with a sack. Rounding out the starting three is Pleasant, a top reserve and special teams standout last season. He has very good speed and as a result is probably the Ducks' most viable blitz threat. Strong and active, he leads all LBs in backfield stops with 7 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He is sixth on the team with 50 total tackles and has an interception to go along with a team leading 3 fumble recoveries.
LBs #46 Michael Clay (5-11, 220, Fr.), #43 Bryson Littlejohn (6-1, 227, Jr.), and #47 Kiko Alonso (6-4, 225, r-Fr.) are the chief replacements. The most productive reserve LB is Clay, a speedy freshman who loves to bring the wood. He has had a very good first season on campus, seeing action in each of the Ducks' 12 games thus far, recording 30 tackles with a sack. After Clay, however, the Ducks' production drops off. Much of this is owing to a season-ending foot injury to Josh Kaddu, a 6-3, 210 pound sophomore who was playing very well before the injury (21 tackles, 4 for loss with a sack in 7 games). Alonso has 15 tackles in 11 games with one TFL while Littlejohn has just 9 stops in 10 games.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU LBs
Ross Homan - 96 Tackles, 5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 4 INT, 2 Fumble Rec.
Brian Rolle - 92 Tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Rec.
Austin Spitler - 38 Tackles, 5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT
As the numbers show Ohio State's LB corps has been more productive. It seems counter to what one would naturally think when comparing a Pac 10 team to a Big Ten team, but Oregon's LB production has come against 446 rushing attempts against, while the Buckeyes have faced 377 runs. This difference is indicative of Oregon having to rely on its secondary to make stops in the running game. Likewise, and also counter to what one might think before looking, Ohio State's LBs are much more likely to be in passing lanes, having made 6 picks as a starting unit, compared to Oregon's 2 INTs. The simple fact is, Oregon's defense has faced 90 more plays overall than has Ohio State, but despite those 90 opportunities have less production from their front seven than does Ohio State. Inasmuch as Ohio State likes to run the football and control the clock, Oregon's front seven will need to demonstrate that they can produce consistently. If the secondary is required to assist in run support, the mid-range to deep passing game might work especially well off of play action. Ohio State's corps will, no doubt, face challenges as well, but the "safe bet" is that the Buckeyes LBs are more likely to rise to that challenge and they get the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
RCB #37 Talmadge Jackson (5-10, 182, Jr.)
ROV #14 Javes Lewis (6-1, 185, So.)
FS #2 T.J. Ward (5-11, 201, Sr.)
LCB #3 Cliff Harris (5-11, 170, Fr.)
The secondary has had to make several adjustments on the fly this season. On the opening kick of the Cal game Oregon lost starting corner Walter Thumond, who was anticipated to be among Oregon's defensive leaders. He had made 17 tackles with a pick before his season was ended. Likewise, T.J. Ward missed extended time with injury in the middle part of the year. A former walk-on, Ward has become the key leader of the secondary. After an exceptional junior campaign where he lead the team with 101 tackles, Ward was poised for a strong senior season before the injury. After returning to the field against Washington, he has played very well displaying a nose for the football and bringing the big hit. He has 58 tackles, 2.5 for loss with an INT this season. Lewis has stepped up and delivered plenty of production in his second season. Expected to be Ward's chief backup and heir apparent, Lewis has instead started every game this season and provides the Ducks with both solid run support and good coverage. He is second on the team with 77 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 2 sacks, 2 picks and 1 fumble recovery. Jackson displays outstanding speed, but is also one of the team's strongest hitters. After a 30 tackle campaign last season as a reserve, the junior has improved his production this year recording 46 tackles, 1.5 for loss and has a team leading 4 INTs. It's hard to call the starter opposite Jackson. The Official Website lists Harris, a talented freshman who has 2 starts this season, though has only played in 7 games and did not get the opening call against Oregon State. He has 16 tackles and a pick this year.
Corners: #18 Anthony Gildon (6-1, 175, So.), and #7 Chad Peppars (5-10, 185, Jr.), and safeties: #1 Marvin Johnson (5-11, 199, Jr.), and #20 John Boyett (5-10, 190, r-Fr.) are also in the mix. Boyett isn't your typical reserve. In fact Boyett has started 9 games this season beginning the week Ward went down. While he did not start in games against Arizona State and Arizona, he was once again on the field for the Civil War against Oregon State. As well he should have been, since he is the team's leader in tackles with 78, 1 of those for a loss, with 2 picks. Just a redshirt freshman, Boyett is quickly establishing himself as Oregon's leader in the secondary for years to come. Don't be surprised if he takes the first snap against Ohio State, despite the official site's depth chart. Johnson is a solid reserve safety who has returned from major knee surgery. He has played in every game this season, recording 24 tackles. Gildon has two starts to his credit, but has only 5 tackles in a total of 7 games, while Peppars has just 3 stops in 7 games.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Oregon versus OSU DBs
Chimdi Chekwa - 43 Tackles, 1 INT
Jermale Hines - 56 Tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT
Kurt Coleman - 64 Tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 5 INT, 1 Fumble Rec.
Devon Torrence - 33 Tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT
The Buckeye's secondary has certainly had less disruption to its lineup over the course of the season. As alluded to above, the Duck secondary has more tackles from Boyett and Lewis than the Buckeyes get from Hines and Coleman, but this seems to be the result of different responsibilities in the context of their respective defenses. The Buckeyes starting 4 have 10 picks, while it takes every DB on Oregon's roster to better than number with their total of 11. As mentioned above, it's notable that the Buckeyes have more INTs in fewer attempts against, and might be indicative of Oregon's secondary not being afforded the luxury of keeping the bulk of their focus on the passing game, instead of helping out in the run game. Regarding depth, Oregon has been fortunate that despite injuries to key players it has been able to plug ahead which will serve to help them in the long run. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have a former starter in Anderson Russell on the bench and also will play Andre Amos, who himself has started a number of games for Ohio State this season before Torrence won the position. Since the Buckeyes have given up less yards, both total and per completion, have more INTs and have yielded 6 less scores than the Ducks have through the air, the edge here also goes to Ohio State.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
At the risk of sounding harsh, neither Oregon nor the Pac 10 generally are known for their defense. That does not mean that the Oregon stop-forces will simply roll over come January 1, 2010, but Ohio State fans should expect there to be some holes for the Buckeye offense to exploit just the same. Oregon, despite attention to opposing running games, seems to struggle getting consistent stops and also seems to rely on its secondary for run support. If the Buckeyes are able to establish the running game early, the secondary will have to cheat up, which could then open the mid to long range passing routes quite a bit, especially over the middle. The good news for Ducks fans - should this be the case - is that Ohio State's offense has not been especially adept at exploiting the middle of the field. Oregon likes to try and create pressure on the QB and force turnovers. They will have their work cut out for them trying to corral Terrelle Pryor, but if they do get him flustered he has been known to throw the errant pass or even put the ball on the ground. As Buckeye fans know, he progressed in both categories by the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see how tightly the coaches have him reined in come game time. If Pryor is able to get yards or time with his legs, Oregon will have to hope its offense is able to move the ball against the Buckeyes defense with consistency. While Oregon does have the offense to anticipate success moving the ball, they'd be better served to try and keep the Buckeyes off the scoreboard.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
Returning Starters: 1
Oregon
Punting: #61 in the Nation, 58 punts for 2299 yds, 40.33 avg, 1 touchback
Punt Returns: #32 in the Nation, 27 returns for 308 yds, 2 TDs
Kickoff Returns: #17 in the Nation, 50 returns for 1224 yds, 1 TD, 24.48 avg
Punt Return Defense: #43 in the Nation, 28 returns for 205 yds, 7.32 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #51 in the Nation, 71 returns for 1506 yds, 21.21 avg, 10 touchbacks
Ohio State
Punting: #39 in the Nation, 59 punts for 2240 yds, 37.97, 2 touchbacks
Punt Returns: #67 in the Nation, 38 returns for 319 yds, 8.39 avg
Kickoff Returns: #35 in the Nation, 34 returns for 791 yds, 1 TD, 23.26 avg
Punt Return Defense: #5 in the Nation, 8 returns for 21 yds, 2.63 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #36 in the Nation, 61 returns for 1251 yds, 1 TD, 20.51 avg, 6 touchbacks
As is the case with both Offense and Defense, the Ducks and the Bucks are very even in Special Teams play. Both teams are very solid across the board and have not allowed the Special Teams to lose a game for them.
Special Teamers
Oregon
P #48 Jackson Rice (6-3, 225, Fr., Campolindo HS, Moraga, CA)
PK #25 Morgan Flint (5-9, 163, Sr., Bend HS, Bend, OR)
PR/KR #24 Kenjon Barner (5-11, 180, Fr., Notre Dame HS, Riverside, CA)
PR/KR #21 LaMichael James (5-9, 180, Fr., Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX)
LS #46 Michael Clay (5-11, 220, Fr., Bellarmine HS, Santa Clara, CA)
Hldr #7 Nate Costa (6-1, 215, Jr., Hilmar HS, Hilmar, CA)
Ohio State
P #48 Jon Thoma (6-2, 201, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Louisville, OH)
PK #23 Devin Barclay (5-11, 195, Jr., McDonough HS, Annapolis, MD)
PR #82 Ray Small (5-11, 180, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland, OH)
PR #12 Dane Sanzenbacher (5-11, 175, Jr., Central Catholic HS, Toledo, OH)
PR #8 DeVier Posey (6-3, 205, So., LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
KR #7 Lamaar Thomas (5-11, 186, So., Friendly HS, Ft. Washington, MD)
*KR #82 Ray Small (5-11, 180, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland, OH)
KR #3 Brandon Saine (6-1, 217, Jr., Piqua HS, Piqua, OH)
LS #96 Jake McQuaide (6-2, 219, Jr., Elder HS, Cincinnati, OH)
Hldr #48 Jon Thoma (6-2, 201, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Louisville, OH)
Oregon's Special Teams as noted above have been very solid across the board, ranking statistically in the top third in the Nation in practically every category. They have some very athletic players on the Special Teams units including LaMichael James who will get plenty of action as the Ducks RB. The thing that is most surprising is that they are not only good, but young, with freshmen dominating the playing time. The Buckeyes will have their hands full.
ST Rating: B
Head-to-Head When Oregon Kicks Off: Flint vs Thomas/Saine/Herron
Flint has a good leg, as evidenced by his 10 touchbacks. Oregon also has great athletes playing on the return defense team. The Buckeyes had a better first half of the year as opposed to the second half, but still had a very good year over all returning kicks. The loss of Small will be felt on this unit. Thomas and Saine must step it up to minimize this loss.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head When Ohio State Kicks Off: Barclay vs James/Barner
James and Barner are athletes with explosive speed that are a threat to take any kick to the house. The Buckeyes have been very good defending kickoffs this year, with only the one breakdown against Iowa. If James and Barner can give the Ducks good field position on kicks, it will be even harder on the OSU defense.
Edge: Oregon
Head-to-Head When Oregon Punts: Rice vs Sanzenbacher/Posey/Hall
Rice has had a decent year, averaging over 40 yds per punt. Small, Sanzenbacher and Posey didn't have the year many expected, but are still a threat due to their athleticism. Now that Ray Small is definitely out of the game, this tilts the edge to Oregon.
Edge: Oregon
Head-to-Head When Ohio State Punts: Thoma vs James/Barner
Thoma has been inconsistent this year, sometimes booming a punt and sometimes shanking one. Luckily for him one of the best punt return defense teams in the nation backs him up. The Buckeyes only allowed 21 total yards in 12 games worth of returns, a remarkable statistic good for fifth in the nation in the category. The Ducks counter with a very good punt return unit, having scored two TDs on the year. This will be another contest to watch.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Oregon Ducks have a very solid set of special teams units. In a game that featuring two closely matched teams, special teams could be very crucial. A special team play or mistake on either side could be critical. The news that Ray Small will not participate in the game is a huge benefit to the Ducks. The other returners (Saine, Sanzenbacher, Thomas, Posey and whoever replaces Small) must step up their game. This part may be more crucial than ever now.
Overall Special Teams Rating: B
Predictions Punting: #61 in the Nation, 58 punts for 2299 yds, 40.33 avg, 1 touchback
Punt Returns: #32 in the Nation, 27 returns for 308 yds, 2 TDs
Kickoff Returns: #17 in the Nation, 50 returns for 1224 yds, 1 TD, 24.48 avg
Punt Return Defense: #43 in the Nation, 28 returns for 205 yds, 7.32 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #51 in the Nation, 71 returns for 1506 yds, 21.21 avg, 10 touchbacks
Ohio State
Punting: #39 in the Nation, 59 punts for 2240 yds, 37.97, 2 touchbacks
Punt Returns: #67 in the Nation, 38 returns for 319 yds, 8.39 avg
Kickoff Returns: #35 in the Nation, 34 returns for 791 yds, 1 TD, 23.26 avg
Punt Return Defense: #5 in the Nation, 8 returns for 21 yds, 2.63 avg
Kickoff Return Defense: #36 in the Nation, 61 returns for 1251 yds, 1 TD, 20.51 avg, 6 touchbacks
As is the case with both Offense and Defense, the Ducks and the Bucks are very even in Special Teams play. Both teams are very solid across the board and have not allowed the Special Teams to lose a game for them.
Special Teamers
Oregon
P #48 Jackson Rice (6-3, 225, Fr., Campolindo HS, Moraga, CA)
PK #25 Morgan Flint (5-9, 163, Sr., Bend HS, Bend, OR)
PR/KR #24 Kenjon Barner (5-11, 180, Fr., Notre Dame HS, Riverside, CA)
PR/KR #21 LaMichael James (5-9, 180, Fr., Liberty-Eylau HS, Texarkana, TX)
LS #46 Michael Clay (5-11, 220, Fr., Bellarmine HS, Santa Clara, CA)
Hldr #7 Nate Costa (6-1, 215, Jr., Hilmar HS, Hilmar, CA)
Ohio State
P #48 Jon Thoma (6-2, 201, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Louisville, OH)
PK #23 Devin Barclay (5-11, 195, Jr., McDonough HS, Annapolis, MD)
PR #82 Ray Small (5-11, 180, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland, OH)
PR #12 Dane Sanzenbacher (5-11, 175, Jr., Central Catholic HS, Toledo, OH)
PR #8 DeVier Posey (6-3, 205, So., LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
KR #7 Lamaar Thomas (5-11, 186, So., Friendly HS, Ft. Washington, MD)
*KR #82 Ray Small (5-11, 180, Sr., Glenville HS, Cleveland, OH)
KR #3 Brandon Saine (6-1, 217, Jr., Piqua HS, Piqua, OH)
LS #96 Jake McQuaide (6-2, 219, Jr., Elder HS, Cincinnati, OH)
Hldr #48 Jon Thoma (6-2, 201, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Louisville, OH)
Oregon's Special Teams as noted above have been very solid across the board, ranking statistically in the top third in the Nation in practically every category. They have some very athletic players on the Special Teams units including LaMichael James who will get plenty of action as the Ducks RB. The thing that is most surprising is that they are not only good, but young, with freshmen dominating the playing time. The Buckeyes will have their hands full.
ST Rating: B
Head-to-Head When Oregon Kicks Off: Flint vs Thomas/Saine/Herron
Flint has a good leg, as evidenced by his 10 touchbacks. Oregon also has great athletes playing on the return defense team. The Buckeyes had a better first half of the year as opposed to the second half, but still had a very good year over all returning kicks. The loss of Small will be felt on this unit. Thomas and Saine must step it up to minimize this loss.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head When Ohio State Kicks Off: Barclay vs James/Barner
James and Barner are athletes with explosive speed that are a threat to take any kick to the house. The Buckeyes have been very good defending kickoffs this year, with only the one breakdown against Iowa. If James and Barner can give the Ducks good field position on kicks, it will be even harder on the OSU defense.
Edge: Oregon
Head-to-Head When Oregon Punts: Rice vs Sanzenbacher/Posey/Hall
Rice has had a decent year, averaging over 40 yds per punt. Small, Sanzenbacher and Posey didn't have the year many expected, but are still a threat due to their athleticism. Now that Ray Small is definitely out of the game, this tilts the edge to Oregon.
Edge: Oregon
Head-to-Head When Ohio State Punts: Thoma vs James/Barner
Thoma has been inconsistent this year, sometimes booming a punt and sometimes shanking one. Luckily for him one of the best punt return defense teams in the nation backs him up. The Buckeyes only allowed 21 total yards in 12 games worth of returns, a remarkable statistic good for fifth in the nation in the category. The Ducks counter with a very good punt return unit, having scored two TDs on the year. This will be another contest to watch.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Oregon Ducks have a very solid set of special teams units. In a game that featuring two closely matched teams, special teams could be very crucial. A special team play or mistake on either side could be critical. The news that Ray Small will not participate in the game is a huge benefit to the Ducks. The other returners (Saine, Sanzenbacher, Thomas, Posey and whoever replaces Small) must step up their game. This part may be more crucial than ever now.
Overall Special Teams Rating: B
BB73's prediction: 27-23, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-17, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 27-24, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 30-27, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 24-13, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 35-24, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 24-14, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 21, TSUN 10)
(180) BB73's prediction: 27-13, Ohio State (9 + 171 last week = 180)
(189) Bucky Katt's prediction: 24-13, Ohio State (6 + 183 last week = 189)
(217) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (17 + 200 last week = 217)
(230) Bucklion's prediction: 31-20, Ohio State (20 + 210 last week = 230)
(240) JCOSU86's prediction: 38-17, Ohio State (24 + 216 last week = 240)
(242) jwinslow's prediction: ??-??, Ohio State (24 + 218 last week = 242)
(282) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 38-13, Ohio State (20 + 262 last week = 282)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Last edited by a moderator:
at Dan Fouts. Great write-up. That is all.
