Could we beat...

[Oneshot]

In these weeks of non-Ohio State college football games, I've gotten to thinking: can we beat these teams?

Cincinatti: Absolutely - our defense would provide too much pressure for Tony Pike to shine, and I trust Chekwa OR Torrance to handle Mardy Gilyard.

Florida: Yes, but it would be a close one.

Alabama: No. That defense is absolutely legitimate. Excellent game planning coach. This one (I hate to say) probably wouldn't be that close.

Texas: Yes, I don't think they're too special... and he took 9 sacks tonight.

Georgia Tech: Their defense is *terrible* and I'm quite sure that Nesbitt would throw at least 3 ints; however, that offense is absolutely legitimate, and the kind that can hurt us (you know that Navy had some drives that made you say "man, if they had the horses...") I'd say this one is a toss up. My heart says Buckeyes, but my head says that GTech has an excellent shot.

Oregon: I think we're going to destroy them.

What do you think?

 

[fanaticbuckeye]

Our defense can keep us in any game. Any team that has an offense that can keep our defense on the field and tire them out are the teams that concern me. Oregon, GaTech, and potentially UC. Although, UC has a good offensive design I think our front four would control that game, so I remove them.

I actually think we match up well with Bama. That defense is very good, but UF's lack of a running game hurt them. Also, UF's run defense seemed vulnerable to me the few times that I watched them this year, (UT, Ark, and SC to a slightly smaller degree) and it happened again last night. Bama didn't really worry about the running game of UF. 14 attempts all game with Tebow getting 10 with some success coming on a big scramble; in spite of averaging 6.3 ypc. Sounds all to familiar as a Buckeye fan. Bama won the time of possession by 2:1 (give or take a few seconds). Only attempting 18 pass plays and 53 run plays for Bama helped win that battle so handily. I think our defense would force McElroy to shoulder more of the game, even though I think Ingram would probably end with 75 yards or so, I just don't think the Bama run game would be as effective against us.

I've said it before, but I don't love our match up with Oregon. Their offense is very good and a different version of the read-option game with three very nice runners. Their passing game isn't as stellar, but it's good enough to keep us honest and I think there is some potential for big plays for the Ducks. Having said that, the front four silver bullets are game changers and if they play like the did against PSU, forget about it.

While I like the Longhorn program, I have watched them three times this year and have not once thought they were an elite team. They benefited from a down B12. But they are now one win away from a national championship and can't hate them for that.

While I don't think we are national title contenders, in one game our defense gives me a bit of confidence against any of these teams. With the way our running game has come around post-Purdue; ball control, field position and a score in the 20's could equal a Buckeye win against any of these teams. I don't see one team that is head and shoulders ahead of the rest of college football this year.

 

[Jaxbuck]

In these weeks of non-Ohio State college football games, I've gotten to thinking: can we beat these teams?

Cincinatti: Absolutely - our defense would provide too much pressure for Tony Pike to shine, and I trust Chekwa OR Torrance to handle Mardy Gilyard.

Florida: Yes, but it would be a close one.

Alabama: No. That defense is absolutely legitimate. Excellent game planning coach. This one (I hate to say) probably wouldn't be that close.

Texas: Yes, I don't think they're too special... and he took 9 sacks tonight.

Georgia Tech: Their defense is *terrible* and I'm quite sure that Nesbitt would throw at least 3 ints; however, that offense is absolutely legitimate, and the kind that can hurt us (you know that Navy had some drives that made you say "man, if they had the horses...") I'd say this one is a toss up. My heart says Buckeyes, but my head says that GTech has an excellent shot.

Oregon: I think we're going to destroy them.

What do you think?

Anythings possible I guess but I'd say in anyone of those matchups except UC, OSU would be the underdog and I would consider it an upset if they won. I'd consider a win over UF or Bama a minor miracle.

Our defense can keep us in any game. Then again, our offense can keep any opponent in a game with us. It really still all comes down to Pryor. Do we get the TO machine, the recently emerged game manager or the still to be seen difference maker?

With the kicking issues we have this year, the erratic at best offense and the recent 0-5 streak vs non B10 quality opponents I would have a hard time saying we'll kill anyone on that list with a straight face.

I think we may beat Oregon because we are due for a good Bowl game showing and our defense, that's it.

 

[bucknut502]

I saw Bama play live against Kentucky and UK moved the ball on them with some success. They have a bend but dont break type D just like we do. I think we are very similar teams, they just have a better offensive line and that duo of RB's is much better than ours. If we played I think it would be a battle of the kickers. Each team might score 1 TD but in the end I think their run game would be too much for us. I say they would win something like 25-16.

 

[xcrunner]

We can beat any team in the country... Using the same list as the OP:


Cincinatti: Yep. We would beat them fairly easily IMO. They haven't faced a D like ours, and their own defense is... lacking

Florida: Yes, we could. Alabama ran the ball down their throats with incredible success. Our strategy would be similar, except they would also have to contend with Pryor running. They could also beat us, though. It would depend on turnovers. Their offense is not turnover-prone at all, which is a big problem for us, because one of the strengths of our defense is forcing turnovers. Their D is pretty good at forcing turnovers, which makes it difficult for us to let Pryor throw the ball too much, keeping them honest.

Alabama: Yes, we could. It would be hard, because they've got Cody in the middle. I see a lot of sweeps to the outside, some bootlegs, and mixing it up a little more than usual. That secondary does not impress me that much, to be honest. They looked great against Florida, but not so great a lot of other times this year. We could beat them, but I would probably favor them by 4-5.

Texas: They do not impress me at all. I think the only way they don't get killed by 'Bama is if 'Bama forgets to show up. We would beat them by 10+ IMO.

Georgia Tech: I think we win. Defense wins championships.

Oregon: Same as above. Run the ball down their throat.

 

[Woody1968]

I think we could beat Georgia Tech, Oregon and Cincinnati, and I think we could probably beat Texas if we played solidly. If we played a great game, we could possibly beat Florida. And if we played a perfect game, we could possibly beat Alabama. Any team can beat any other team if things go right.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Cincy--absolutely. Grillz that Killz would get his td (maybe 2) but that would be it. Our D line eats cincy's lame OL up and puts pressure on Pike that he hasn't seen. Cincy's DL is slow and small, and it wouldn't be much of a contest against our running attack which would limit Grillz time on the field. 45-14

Bama--hate to say it, but we get blown out here. I'd say about a 17-21 point loss.

Texas--last year and last night both tell me it would be a close game. Texas wins 6 out of 10, but a single game is a toss-up.

Florida--we hang with them. Probably lose, but if the intangibles fall our way the upset could happen. I'd say a single digit margin either way.

TCU--would give us a game. They play solid defense, and I think we'd have trouble scoring. Low scoring game where our depth is the deciding factor. Single digit win

Boise--donkeys get plunger raped. They score 20 but give up 50.

GT--see TCU with a lesser defense. 14-17 point win

Oregon--we'll see. I've been more confident going into this bowl game than any since ND.

 

[powerlifter]

Impossible to tell..If there is anything like the purdue game going on..They can lose to all of those teams. Playing hot..I'll just list win percentages Cincy (75%),Bama (20%),Texas (55%),Florida (35%),TCU (55%),Boise (80%),GT (60%,but would be interested to see how they stack up with a strong option team ( navy troubles reminder)...I think people have to keep in mind that some of these teams have stronger offenses then anything we've seen all year.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Cincinnati: Yes. Cincy relies on big plays in the passing game. OSU doesn't normally give up big yardage, and by making Cincy earn every yard, will eventually frustrate/wear out the QB. Plus, our running game should dominate their line.

Florida: Yes, although we would probably lose 7/10 match-ups. Don't have the type of offensive consistency to match up with UF, and their strength is at run defense.

Alabama: Yes, but we would probably lose 8 out of 10 times. See UF.

Texas: Been saying for the past 15 months that the B12 is overrated. UT is the only team that has avoided being exposed by a combination luck and semi-good defense. If we play UT 10 times, we could win half the games.

Georgia Tech: Great offensive team but should be held in check by OSU's run D. They would probably put up 24 on our D but we should score more than that on their D. See us winning 7 out of 10 times.

Oregon: Definitely. Masoli is tough, and kind of reminds me of KSU's Ellerson, while James reminds me of Sproles. Our defense handled Ellerson and Sproles, and we should do the same here. Masoli looks kind of smallish. Wonder what a few hits by Homan or Heyward would do to him.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Yes.

 

[southcampus]

If yesterday's big 12 game taught me anything other than never let Mack Brown or Les Miles be in charge of calling timeout, it's that teams with good defenses can beat anybody. We have as good of a defense as anybody in the country. We can beat anybody.

 

[ttk]

"Could" is always a possibility, it's why they play the games. It's more about having a good chance... I'd say Ohio State would only be underdogs by a few points in most of the matchups listed, but I think Alabama would absolutely throttle you guys.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

I think we're going to destroy them.

I have remained quiet, but I do have to at least comment. I really dont see how anybody could think we are going to destroy Oregon. First off, yes our D is damn good, and will give them fits, but they have one of the best O's in the country. We have not faced many good O's this year. In my book, its one of those games where we're gonna have to score with them, and obviously I have doubts that we can do that with our O. I mean this team destroyed SC.......although I hate making those kind of comparisons. Once again, hope I am wrong. I will go out on a limb and say Buckeyes by 20

 

[MaxBuck]

Oregon: ... Masoli looks kind of smallish. Wonder what a few hits by Homan or Heyward would do to him.

Smallish??? Have you seen his trunk-like legs? Short maybe, but certainly not small. He's very stout, and very strong.

 

[bukIpower]

we can play and beat any of them. Doing it though is a different matter.

I think we'd beat Cincy comfortably.

Georgia Tech would give us trouble but we'd win

TCU would be an ugly game but we'd win

Florida I think we'd compete but ultimately our lack of timely passing would hurt us. I think Our defense would hold us in it but ultimately we'd lose in a close game.

Texas- I think surprisingly we'd win pretty comfortabley.

Alabama- I think we match up pretty well but it'd be the case of our offense not being able to do much. Our defense would be fine and would hold up nicely but I don't think Pryor's game as a passer is where it needs to be to make teams respect us through the air.

As for Oregon. Their Offense will give us probably more trouble than anyone on the list (combined with GT surprisingly) but that defense they field is the worse defense on the list. I think it's more about our OFFENSE vs their Defense than the contrary. Everyone talks about our defense vs their offense but what people aren't realizing is we'll win our share in that battle. The same can't be said IMO for their defense.