BCS Game v. LSU

Last year, I had a bad feeling about the BCS game v. Florida all during December and into January because OSU had played its National Championship game v. Michigan. All the talking heads were sure Ohio State would roll over Florida and everything seemed to be a formality. During the last few days prior to the game, I tried to delude myself that Ohio State would win, and put for a post stating so. I did not really feel it in my gut, though, and a few days later, reality hit.

This year is different. In fact, it is about as close to 180 degrees as you can get. Instead of Ohio State being the lock, LSU is being touted as the team that is sure to win it all. They are from the extremely tough and fast SEC, while Ohio State is from the slow, methodical, and overrated Big Ten. LSU is playing a home game. Ohio State has had 51 days off. LSU has better talent and hotter women. The talk goes on and on.

Rather than break down x's and o's, my feeling for this game comes from a more cosmic view. Redemption is being handed to Ohio State 364 days after the debacle in the desert. As noted above, Ohio State is now the team that has no chance and LSU is almost guaranteed to win. When I think of how the day after the game will look, it is inconceivable that Ohio State will come out as the loser of back-to-back national championship games. I don't think things were set up so that Ohio State would come out of this with an even worse reputation than it has now. For example, look at Michigan. Llllloyd Carr's seniors were 0-4 v. Ohio State and 0-3 in bowl games. Lloyd was retiring, but Michigan was an underdog to Florida in Orlando. But the Wolverines got it done. I think we will log on to Espn.com and/or pick up Tuesday's USA Today and see Jim Tressel holding the crystal football, again.

If you want me to look at the stats, I will tell you that somehow LSU is No. 3 in Total Defense despite giving up ridiculous amounts of points to Kentucky, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas. That tells me teams can get a short field on the Tigers despite the fact that LSU is No. 3 in turnover margin. Either that, or LSU's special teams stink and their opponents get great field position. I will also tell you that LSU does not sack the QB nearly as much as you think (No. 34) or tackle people behind the line of scrimmage (70th). Moreover, they do not protect their QB at all (No. 72 in sacks allowed).

I see Ohio State's defense hitting LSU's QB hard and often. I see LSU unable to pass and OSU will then be able to focus on the run and stop it. LSU's defense will give Boeckman fits by putting 8 in the box and daring him to throw, but Tressel will want to run early until the troops settle down. I see the game changing in the second half when I think Ohio State will be able to run with more effectiveness and control the clock. Then Boeckman will sprinkle in some passes to Ballard and Robiskie. I think this will not be a game of big plays but lots of little ones (i.e. Buckeyes converting on 3rd and 3).

In the end, redemption comes and it tastes sweet. Final - Ohio State 20, LSU 17.