Stu, I’m going to pick up on your comments from a different thread and consolidate it here. Damn the Big 10 is so good!! :lol: I'm thinking the same way Stu. PSU vs UT That's a loss. PSU has no offense, but they might be able to run on UT so there is a glimmer of hope albeit a small one. PSU’s 8-4 record is not as good as it appears because of the lack of competition they played. PSU's pass offense is dreadfull, but you never know what will happen with so much time to prepare. The D should show up and keep it close at least for a while. TT vs. UM That's a guaranteed loss. Minny can not defend the pass and it's running game is not nearly as strong as it used to be. I see UM throwing for over 300 yards but losing. Texas vs. Iowa.. That's a loss. Iowa may keep it close, but no cigar. Agree with Stu, Doc has no shame. Purdue vs. MD , There might be a chance but I don't think so. Stu’s got to weigh in here. Wisky vs. Ark.. If Arkansas had a QB, they might have a chance. Wisky didn't play anyone and I think their pass defense is not as good as their stats indicate. They have no pass rush from the front 4 and if Ark can pass deep and take advantage of one on one coverage then it's a different game. Wisky has a good run defense especially on the edges. Ark can run up the middle but not wide on this D. UW should have just enough offense to win. I look for Stocco to have a big game. Mich vs USC... That's one we are hoping for and have a good chance. I’ll allow Bobda to weigh in. OSU vs. FL .... Florida may surprise me, but they make too many mistakes on offense and are inconsistent. Urban teams are always heavily penalized while the Bucks are not. 110-838 Yards vs. 57-428 yards. OSU converts 51.3 % 3rd downs vs. FL 43.2 %. Both are strong in the Red Zone but Fl turns the ball over much more with 14 ints to OSU’s 5 ints. The Buckeyes also give up fewer sacks 14 to 22. On defense the Buckeyes pressure the QB better 37 sacks to 29 or (3.08 per game vs. 2.23) and have more TFL’s. Surprisingly, Fl is tougher in the Red Zone allowing only 64% conversion against OSU’s 84 %. If Smith has a bad day, he’s good enough to stay out of trouble ( ints,sacks)and still cause problems with his feet. You can’t say the same for Leak. If one were to assume that both teams are equally talented, then you would have to pick the Buckeyes due to their offensive consistency and better defensive pressure. I think Fl will have to play a perfect game to win and will have to keep their penalties down to a minimum. Objectively, I'd say the Big 10 goes 3-4 or 2-5.
You didn't see the fine print. ..........The above commentary may not be complete and is subject to further revision.
AJ, I don't see it much differently....I like Wisky alot and granted they have some question marks, I've watched them several times this year and have been favorably impressed. I like Stocco and his game, and the Hogs are gonna have a heavy dose of smashmouth to deal with as well. I'm not saying they can't do it, I'm saying they are gonna have to. I think the Wisky D is better than many think. I'm looking forward to this game...it will be a good one. Our game....hmmmmm. I'd be surprised if it becomes a shootout. The over/under is 48.5, I would take the under. If it is a shootout, I believe that favors us.....I think our offense has been more consistent at a higher level and more explosive than the Gators. The Gators have struggled at times offensively. I think we have a big advantage in the kicking game which could be the difference and I see the defenses as a push. With the exception of the Stripehead game - we were -3! - we have typically won the turnover battle and taken good care of the football. The Gators less so....Leak is almost 3x more likely to throw a pick than Troy. I don't believe that the Gators can win the game unless they win the turnover battle. I don't know if the Gators have to play a "perfect" game to win, but I would say they are going to have to play their best offensive game of the season. They are going to have to score points. Our offense is gonna score....the burden will be on Leak and Co to keep up, imho.
I don't know about the explosive part, Fl may not be a move the chains offense but they can be explosive under Urban's pedal to the metal style and have the athletes to do so. They can and do make the big play, but I think the flip side of that type of offense is consistency, mistakes and execution. No one really plays a "perfect game" but perfect for FL would be consistently moving the chains and sustaining drives. I just don't see it . The over/under is going to be dictated by the team that dictates the tempo of the game. It's a question of OSU imposing ball control. If FL can shut down OSU's ball control and force them to open up, then we may see a high tempo/ high scoring type of game. Kind of ironic when great defense can actually encourage more high risk offense and a shoot out. Great point about the kicking game. How do you win a championship without a FG kicker ? That's got to hurt them big time and force high risk play calling and good starting field position for their opponents.
Good point AJ...re:explosive, I was thinking more in terms of scoring lots of points in bunches. The Gators have not really lit up the scoreboard this year....no doubt they have playmakers to test any defense.
Interesting musing from College Football News - obviously a credit to Coach Tressel - his football IQ, teaching ability and attention to detail. Can Meyer's gimmicky offensive schemes- my words for lack of a better term given my limited vocabulary - be consistently successful given the assignment discipline and football IQ of the Buckeyes - in particular the defense in this discussion? Any implications here for Meyer's game planning? Hmmmmmmm.....
Here's a question for you B10 guys. Ron Zook is recruiting like crazy at Illinois, as a coach I'm not sure he can utilize that talent. But does Illinois have untapped potential to be a upper level B10 team like Iowa (except for this year) and Wisconsin?
Yes, He has pretty decent talent now and he's moving in on some players that no one else would touch. I think he could field a top team on occassion, I just don't think he's good enough as a coach to do it consistantly year after year. That's where Carr, Tressel and perhaps Firentz separate themselves from the pack.
Absolutely and historically they have been. They have at least one conference title in just about every decade since I've been around and were always right there with Iowa and Wisky and even superior to them pre-Fry and pre-Alvarez.....they have great tradition with Butkus and Red Grange. I remember them beating us in consecutive years in Columbus. Great natural recruiting area in greater Chicago and no real in-state competitor. If he keeps it up, there is no reason he can't do well....
Good analysis on the OSU-UF game. I agree Florida must play near the top of it's game to win but I fully expect the Gators to come full bore especially due to the national rancor over their selection for the NC game over Michigan. I think UF's special teams ( punt block/punt return) could be the difference in this game. Florida can and probably will do just enough on offense to stay even with OSU and possibly a big special teams play or a Reggie Nelson int could turn the game. These kinds of game changing plays tend to happen for the team that wants it the most or who is dissed the most by the oddsmakers, fans and media. UF is certainly that team in this game.
Mo, I was hoping you would chime in. Do you think being a big underdog is good for Florida? bad or no effect ? Just wondering since this is a game which really needs no further motivation. Is it better for FL to have a more workmanlike approach or a highly charged one?
I think it's great for UF to be the underdog. Understand that winning the SEC Championship is a pretty huge deal to SEC players and I could see a team that has done that as Florida just did getting a bit complacent....especially if the media and fans started saying incessantly how they were soooooo good and how they were going to crush their NC opponent who was just not worthy. Sometimes teams fall for all that baloney and certainly some UF teams in the past have been guilty of that.....( and Fazier scores again...)
I feel an inspired Florida effort coming on in this game. It should be a fantastic game to watch no matter the outcome.
MCG, I couldn't agree more....this is the biggest game of their lives for all of them - Buckeyes and Gators. More likely than not, the biggest game in which they will EVER play. I see you and your Gator brethren are playing up the no respect angle.....everybody wearing scarlet and gray on the playing field on January 8 will have nothing but the highest respect for the Gators. Coach Tressel will make sure of that. Our kids won't believe that crap for a second....that's for the pundits and the fans.......
"Our kids won't believe that crap for a second....that's for the pundits and the fans......." Damn! :x