Game Thread 2015 National Championship Game: (2) Oregon vs. (4) Ohio State, Jan 12th @ 8:30p ET, ESPN

[jwinslow]

I think the youngsters are improving. I don't think Bell is playing at an All-B1G level yet, let alone the force that Coleman was.

I think Grant has elevated his game to Austin Spitler's level, which is a huge boost but still a far cry from Rolle.

I'm not sure that Bosa had a very good game last week. Let's hope he bounces back like he did after his last suspect game (Michigan before the CCG performance).


I agree that they are peaking, and the offense backing them up is miles ahead of the 09 squad in efficiency and balance. I just envision a shootout, with OSU able to control the tempo a bit with Elliott, Marshall, Samuel and a little Cardale.

 

[Joe Stewart]

The only one that is out new from those who started the RB is the WR/KR #5. He is a legit loss for them.

The rest are just dudes they've lost through the year I believe. They have had some serious attrition....they aren't starting their 3rd QB or anything but they have lost some guys.

Honestly, #5 (Devan Allen), played quite a bit early in the season but as time went on Mariota began to distribute the ball around a lot more. Allen was our fastest receiver, but we're loaded at the position, so although you never want to lose a player of his caliber, we have plenty of quality guys at the position.

 

[jwinslow]

Honestly, #5 (Devan Allen), played quite a bit early in the season but as time went on Mariota began to distribute the ball around a lot more. Allen was our fastest receiver, but we're loaded at the position, so although you never want to lose a player of his caliber, we have plenty of quality guys at the position.

Us recruitniks remember him pretty well, as he showed out at OSU's Friday Night Lights camp. At the time, OSU was going with Shelton Gibson instead of Allen. Eventually they backed off and he ended up at WVU.

Here's his BP thread:
'13 AZ WR Devon Allen (Oregon Verbal)

 

[Saw31]

Welcome aboard Oregon fans! So we're playing the Rose Bowl in Dallas this year? Hmmmm. That doesn't compute just yet.

Don't take this wrong, but I picture all of you sitting at your computers in highlighter yellow spandex and green hair...

 

[Joe Stewart]

I will throw my hat into the ring here... oregon is better this year at QB, offensiive lines roughly similar, worse at tight end (dickson), and not as good at RB. What was terrifying about the 09 ducks team was james and kenyon on special teams. Also didn't that team have the all time leading reciever in oregon history? Some white guy maybe his name was pohl or something similar...

I'll reply. :-)

Yes, Mariota is a much better QB than Masoli was. No question. The offensive lines are similar, but we're a bit bigger, stronger and deeper now. The general consensus is that Left Tackle Jake Fischer and Center Hroniss Grasu, will both be early round picks in the NFL draft. Every player on the line has game experience at every other position. We've had to play at least 8 different lineups this year because of injuries. We'll be going into this game with a lot of experience and good depth.

Regarding Ed Dickson, he graduated a few years back and currently plays for the Carolina Panthers. We lost Phaoroh Brown for the season in the Utah game, which hurt, but we have two good backups that have a good amount of playing time under their belt.

We have excellent running backs. As I posted previously, Thomas Tyner has been out with injuries most of the year, but he's 100% now. Our starter, true freshman Royce Freeman, rushed for 1,299 yards this season before the Rose Bowl. Most of that was straight up the middle. We also have last season's leading rusher of over 1,000 yards, Byron Marshall. They have him lining up all over the place now as a multi-purpose threat. Then there's Charles Nelson, fast as lightning, elusive and capable of breaking loose every play. He's like a less experienced DeAnthony Thomas.

The receiver you're reffering to, Jeff Maehl, graduated in 2011 after we played Auburn for the NC. He's currently on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.

 

[OSUK]

Jesus, girls, and Marcus Mariotà. We are up against it. I thought Alabama was a challenge, but this is ridiculous.

I talked to the Lord and He said He would consider throwing in with the Buckeyes if BP members, esp Buckyle, cut use of the F word by half. It is a lot to ask, but we all need to sacrifice to get this championship.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Anyone expecting a repeat of 2010 is being myopic. That unit had a stout, physical DL, very disciplined and instinctive lbs and a pair of strong safeties. This team has a lot less consistency at lb and safety and lacks the depth at DT that the 09-10 team enjoyed.

Masoli was also a system guy and noticeably worse than his predecessor, let alone super Mario. He has a deeper crop of weapons than Masoli had.

Conversely, that was a fairly inefficient buckeye offense that came alive against a suspect defense. This is a high octane offense with great blocking, backs and receivers to make life easy on their qb.

I think osu can certainly win this game, and Oregon struggles on defense were hidden by the turnovers forced by fsu. Naturally they deserve credit for those but osu also has a grown man at tail back not a child. Fsu also has spent the entire year turning the ball over and somehow getting away with it, until they played an offense that could bury them.

This has the feel of a team of Destiny. The Oregon o vs osu d makes me feel like this is a win 70% of the time, but then I remember how much trouble Oregon will have with osu's offense. I think this is a very even game and I can't wait.

Spot on

 

[OregonBuckeye]

you must have a short memory. I'm not saying Mariota is not superior but you are saying that with the knowledge of tOSU rolling Masolli. This Oregon team is not much different than the 09 version and that starts at QB.

That isn't the least bit true. Masoli was never the player Mariota is. Stats and the eye test back that up.

Masoli to Mariota is almost like Stanley Jackson to Troy Smith. They played qb at the same school and were from Hawaii. That's about where the comparisons end

 

[Buck I in Mich]

This game is starting to have the feel of the 2007 Championship Game with tOSU playing the role of Florida. They came into the game with an early loss in their season and a couple of close calls. They played a good game prior to the BCS rankings coming out but had to keep their fingers crossed to get in while everyone claimed they had a shot at tOSU including Tsun wanting a rematch. Once they were in they were playing with "house money".

Meanwhile everyone said it didn't matter because OSU and their Heisman winner were unbeatable. And overconfidence set in.

If the Ducks are reading the press clippings and feeling great about a blowout of FSU (largely due to FSU quitting) then we will be fine.

 

[woofermazing]

He is not the one suffering from a short memory.

edit: but I'm apparently suffering from year comprehension issues I'll edit the below stats to include 2009, not 08.

Masoli was a fullback sized dual threat QB with the quickness of Tebow, a fraction of the strength and far less passing proficiency.

2008:

2009:

better but still a bunch of doozies through the air.

Season stats from the year they played OSU:

69% vs 58%
4124 vs 2147 yds
40 td vs 15 td
3 int vs 6 int

731 yds vs 668 yds
5.8 ypc vs 5.5 ypc
15 td vs 103 td

Masoli put up comparable numbers on the ground (though they weren't close as runners, especially when things break down). He isn't in the same galaxy as a passer.

The Oregon offense is very different now than under Kelly. They are more likely to pass on early downs, they run less, and they run option a lot less. Masoli was usually not in a great down and distance situation if he was being asked to throw. I've watched a few duck games this year, and the throwing windows are enormous.

I do think part of that change is because of differences in personnel, but I also think the coaching staff wants to be more balanced. Chip Kelly offenses almost always sputtered against good teams that could stop the run.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Jesus, girls, and Marcus Mariotà. We are up against it. I thought Alabama was a challenge, but this is ridiculous.

I talked to the Lord and He said He would consider throwing in with the Buckeyes if BP members, esp Buckyle, cut use of the F word by half. It is a lot to ask, but we all need to sacrifice to get this championship.

Sorry. No fucking dice. We pray to the Blood God now. He demands buckets of blood every game. He shall be appeased.

 

[Coqui]

Sorry. No fucking dice. We pray to the Blood God now. He demands buckets of blood every game. He shall be appeased.

Delivery for Buckyle

 

[Telekinesis]

This game is starting to have the feel of the 2007 Championship Game with tOSU playing the role of Florida. They came into the game with an early loss in their season and a couple of close calls. They played a good game prior to the BCS rankings coming out but had to keep their fingers crossed to get in while everyone claimed they had a shot at tOSU including Tsun wanting a rematch. Once they were in they were playing with "house money".

Meanwhile everyone said it didn't matter because OSU and their Heisman winner were unbeatable. And overconfidence set in.

If the Ducks are reading the press clippings and feeling great about a blowout of FSU (largely due to FSU quitting) then we will be fine.

Eh, I don't really feel that way. I haven't witnessed Ducks fans claiming they're going to murder us, nor do I see that in the media. Lots of people picking Oregon, but they aren't saying we don't have a chance in hell, which was pretty much the feeling going into the Florida game. It was pretty much "BRING ANYONE!" before that game and the country felt about the same, Bucks were dominate and Florida was coming to hand us the trophy. It was a complete shock to damn near everyone that they came in and played the way they did.

 

[Coqui]

Oh and @BUCKYLE you'll appreciate this. I started growing a beard for No shave November. Our team really took off then. I trimmed it to make it look good right before the B1G championship game. I have kept it on since.

The beard has power.

 

[cmstophe]

I don't think Oregon is stopping our offense. 500+ yards to FSU? They blew them out, but it's not going out on a limb to say 1) FSU quit, 2) FSU turned the ball over 5 times causing that blowout. Credit to Oregon for taking advantage of turnovers, but I don't think they will get 5 of them vs Ohio State.

If we want to win, though, it'll be about how we handle their offense. I know Oregon fans scoff at this but the answer really is ball control...that is how they got beat in 2010, and their team is way better this year but that is still how you stop teams like that. EzE is going to need to have a big day. I think he's capable.

Been reading Oregon forums. They are pretty respectful. I don't know if that is just their nature or if it's a product of what Ohio State has done our last two games. Either way, it's pretty refreshing to not see stifling arrogance and hubris like we did on the Alabama boards.