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Adams: Buckeyes have much to prove against LSU
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NEW ORLEANS — If motivation alone were all it took to win a national championship, then the Ohio State Buckeyes should be an overwhelming favorite tonight in the Superdome. Their motivation is redemption.
For the past year, they have been hearing about their last misadventure in the national championship. The Buckeyes embarrassed themselves and the entire Big Ten in a 41-14 loss to Florida.
How does a team good enough to go 12-0 in a regular season manage to gain only 82 yards in a national championship game?
Don’t ask me.
I watched the replay and still couldn’t find an 83rd yard for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State isn’t out to atone for just one game tonight against LSU. There’s a slew of games that will add to its incentive.
The Buckeyes might be regarded as a nationally prominent football program throughout most of America. They might be known as The Ohio State University in their home state. But in the SEC, they’re nothing more than a punch line.
It’s not just the 82 yards against Florida. It’s the 0-8 record in bowl games against the SEC.
Credit Alabama’s Bear Bryant with breaking in the Buckeyes. His Tide fumbled 10 times, lost two and still beat Ohio State 35-6 in the 1978 Sugar Bowl.
Thirty years later at the same venue, the Buckeyes will get another shot at the SEC. What’s their battle cry? Nine times is the charm?
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, the motivation for redemption alone isn’t enough to win a championship. If it were, the Buffalo Bills wouldn’t have lost every Super Bowl they stumbled through.
Tonight’s game isn’t just a matter of motivation. It’s a matter of match-ups. And the match-up that matters most will be LSU’s defense against Ohio State’s offense.
If LSU could have hand-picked any opposing offense from the top 10, only Virginia Tech’s would have been more desirable. The Tigers beat Virginia Tech 48-7 four months ago.
The best chance for success against LSU’s defense is with a running quarterback or a potent passing attack.
The least chance for success is with a traditional tailback-oriented offense.
Never mind that the Buckeyes have an outstanding tailback in Chris Wells and an exceptional offensive line. That’s not the right combination for beating LSU’s defense, which seemingly has regained its health after being so banged up at the end of the regular season.
Kentucky succeeded by spreading the field and throwing. Arkansas succeeded by using tailback Darren McFadden as a running quarterback in the shotgun formation.
Aside from McFadden, no tailback gained 100 yards against LSU. And most of them didn’t come close.
Alabama’s Terry Grant had 23 yards on 13 carries. Tennessee’s Arian Foster had 55 yards on 21 carries. Auburn’s tailbacks, Brad Lester and Ben Tate, had 85 yards on 26 carries. Virginia Tech’s Branden Ore had 28 yards on 14 carries.
Ohio State’s defense matches up more favorably against LSU’s offense, which is the biggest variable in the game.
Against Virginia Tech, that offense was as dominant as the defense. But the same team that rushed for 297 yards and passed for 301 against the Hokies has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency.
Health is the big question. Since LSU coach Les Miles’ injury report is about as believable as Barry Bonds’ steroid denial, how do you know for sure?
Is LSU wide receiver Early Doucet finally healthy? Is running back/kick returner Trindon Holliday full speed? Is quarterback Matt Flynn’s throwing shoulder OK?
When LSU is handing the ball to Jacob Hester, its offense is as physical as anybody’s. But offensive coordinator Gary Crowton seems more intent on keeping defenses off-balance than overpowering them.
He mixes power with passing, runs just enough option to make the defense prepare for it, and changes speeds with five different running backs — all of whom average better than 5 yards per carry.
If fully healthy, LSU’s offense is versatile enough to cause problems for an Ohio State defense that has four All-Big Ten players and ranks No. 1 in the country in fewest points and fewest yards allowed per game.
LSU 24, Ohio State 17: The Superdome turns into the Tiger Dome when LSU is in the house.
Play this game four weeks ago in Columbus, and the Buckeyes would be national champions. This is the wrong time and place for Ohio State to gain redemption.
Record: 222-69 (.763) overall, 139-127 (.522) against the spread.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by tngeoff on January 6, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geaux Tigers! SEC SEC SEC
Posted by pearlific on January 6, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
master of the obvious
Posted by murrayvol on January 6, 2008 at 11:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"How does a team good enough to go 12-0 during a regular season manage to gain only 82 yards in a national championship game?" Well, John, you didn't ask but I'll answer anyway because that's what we do here.
First off you let your state legislature dictate your nonconference schedule to include powerhouse programs such as Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, and Cincinnati.
Next you slap around an overrated Texas team (sans Vince Young) on the road which moves both voters and computer geeks to simultaneous orgasm.
And the rest is easy. Eight Big Ten (plus one) walkovers and one Heisman later and......voila! You're in the Big One with Florida who unfortunately plays a brand of football you are neither familiar nor comfortable with.
Much like tomorrow night will be I expect.
Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 7, 2008 at 2:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would love nothing more than seeing LSU put 50 on this jokers.
Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tigers need to win for nothing else than SEC pride. Figured Arkie would tank their game but Gators mailing it in surprised. Oh well, 7-2 will suffice.
Posted by TurboFan on January 7, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Murray, I don't think the Ohio State legislature said anything about teams from Illinois, Ohio yes, but not Illinois, but I understand your point.
Newspaper up here is giving edge to OSU in everything except QBs (difference is Perrilloux) and special teams, even calling defensive line play "even". Personally, I give edge to Tressel over Miles.
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 7, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LSU comes out and plays like the first half of the season now that they are rested. Ohio State goes home sucking their thumbs.
LSU 45 Ohio State 10
Georgia still claims that they are number 1.
Kansas wonders how a team with two losses is number one and they are left as the bridesmaid.
Posted by VolnDothan on January 7, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The national championship game is a sham... especially this year. A 2-loss LSU team playing for the NC!?!? This game is a popularity contest and NOT a true representation of the best 2 teams in D1.
LSU played for the NC in '03 with 1 loss...then Auburn and Boise State get the shaft after going undefeated. D1 college football is a joke and in serious need of a MAJOR overhaul. It's gotten so bloated off bowl revenues that all parties (NCAA, The Universities, The Bowls) can't stop this monster they've created.
Posted by TN_Newbie on January 7, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
who brought the dead horse? i am so sick of Adams tired articles on Ohio State. We get it, Ohio State stinks, SEC rules. How about writing something a little more thought provoking for a change.
If interested, check out a well written article by Jay Mariotti of ESPN fame, who also writes a newspaper column. I am done wasting my time with JA's columns.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mariot...
Posted by murrayvol on January 7, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Point taken WD40. I included N. Illinois because they appeared on OSU's schedule in 06'.
Agree on Tressel but Miles has more talent on his sideline. I don't think it'll be nearly as bad as last year (could even be a great game) but LSU has too much speed.
Posted by JWilly on January 7, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This really has nothing to do with anything but one of the mid-Ohio sports writers (Mansfield, OH, I think) strongly implied in an article that the 1998 UT Natl. Championship was bogus and that Ohio State was the best team in the nation that year. He included that in a list of times when OSU was the true natl. Champs. which, BTW, was a lot of times according to this writer.
Posted by invisiblekid on January 7, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only thing the Buckeyes will prove tonight is that the whole "SEC is the best conference" hoopla is indeed true for a second year running. The only reason this game is close is due to what I call the Miles Factor, much like the Norv Turner Factor or the Jim Donnan Factor.
Posted by mtoms1272 on January 7, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is that guy that posted that you should pull against all the SEC teams other than TN? Tonight is an example why you pull for the SEC. Go Tigers.
Posted by murrayvol on January 7, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
invisible: You've got to give the guy some credit at least. He's the luckiest SOB on this or any other planet. And his players seem to love him as well.
In a year or two we'll have a better idea of what caliber coach he is.
Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
invisable kid - I hate to do it, but you're going to have to go the the corner for a spell. My Lord, man, invoking the nom de plume of the all-time Mr. Personality, Jim Donnan.
Some things are better quietly forgotten. I do remember how much he cared for Phil.
Posted by Colliervol on January 7, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We'll know more about Les Miles next year. The list of players they lose this year to graduation is astounding.
And whoever said the D-lines for LSU and Ohio State are even is taking some serious medication. LSU has four starters on the line who will all play in the NFL. Wait till they get a load of a healthy Glenn Dorsey tonight. I suspect they'll be blocking him with two or three guys all night though so they might be able to slow him down a little.
Posted by TommyJack on January 7, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kid: Ole Jim Donnan wasn't even liked by his own people. Course, I don't think he liked anyone either...including the Large Orange Oval. Was really a pretty sound football guy, but zero likeablility. Can't believe he got a TV gig. If Brushy Mountain has a team, ole Jim may be their man.
Posted by JETnTN on January 7, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Tigers!! How bout a 41-14 repeat from last year!!!! Go SEC
Posted by threehundredbowler on January 7, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
looks as if all of you are right and old John Adams is wrong as always.Oh,I'm sorry,it's Ohio State winning 10-0 after only seven minutes.LSU may still win but they are a Joke and should not have been in the championship game with 2 losses.Money,money ,money.
Posted by pdhuff on January 7, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, LSU has thing right were they want them. 10-3, Miles game plan is on schedule. Don't forget the Bucks started great against Fla last year, then pssssstt...... We'll see.
Posted by bmaples on January 7, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, no one said anything about live-blogging the game, but just for anyone reading who can't watch the game, it's now 24-10 LSU with 3:24 left in the first half. LSU looks healthy, confident, and ready to indeed hang 50 on OSU. We'll see if Tressel has any amazing halftime adjustments he can make.
Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on January 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WTGGGGGGGGGG Tigers!
Oh.
MVP-Erik Ainge!
sorry... couldn't resist!
Off till fall....
Posted by murrayvol on January 8, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, whatever it was that the Buckeyes had to prove against LSU they didn't.
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 8, 2008 at 5:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oops.
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