Behind The Box Score

Once upon a time the Ohio State Buckeyes were heavily respected within college football circles. Winning big time games against non conference foes, Ohio State was one of the most feared teams in America. Winning BCS bowl games, matching up athletically on both sides of the ball and game planning correctly, the Buckeyes were a version of this year’s Floridas, Texas’ and USC’s.

 Following the drubbings to Florida and LSU in title games and losses to USC, Penn State and Texas in the Fiesta Bowl, Jim Tressel’s squad hardly gets any respect despite winning an average of ten games each season and being the class of the Big Ten year after year. The reason for the hate is considerably accurate, the Buckeyes schedule no tough non conference teams besides games like tomorrow’s and with the current state of the Big Ten, the conference champion is the equivalent of the overall Eastern Conference in the NBA. Bringing in top recruiting classes consistently for the past three years, this Ohio State team is out for blood.

 Facing a Trojan squad led by a punk true freshman who says the Horseshoe, “won’t faze me,” the time is now for Tressel and his team. The majority of the roster from the teams that were the BCS’s laughing stock are gone and a new bunch is ready to take hold. With a defense that was bashed for the lackluster performance against Navy, the redemption is there and it will be interesting to see just how motivated this team is. The movement starts at the arm of quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the top rated player from the class of 2008 that has worked wonders already this season and is out to shut up Matt Barkley and the Trojans.

 Of course TP won’t do it alone. This year’s Buckeyes have a tandom of backs that can finish games, something Beanie Wells was notorious for not doing. Boom Herron, Brandon Saine and Jaamal Berry should be expected to be used extensively tomorrow, to accomodate Pryor in the passing game and open up targets once Taylor Mays and the coverage creeps up. As 80% of America expects the Buckeyes to get rolled, I see a different outcome. USC has been known for having trouble with scrambling quarterbacks, note the loss to Texas in the 2005 BCS Championship Game and the success Pryor had in the Colisseum last season, compiling 120 total yards in less than five possessions.

 This time around the game is in the Shoe, a crowd that is expected to be filled with hundreds of standing room only spots, and a crowd that just might break the all-time record for attendance. Taking grief from the national media for a sub par performance against Navy last week has more than prepared the Buckeyes for a statement performance tomorrow night. This Ohio State defense is fast, tough and should be relieved that USC doesn’t have a triple option attack. Opposite from what the so called “experts” have been saying, the performance against the Midshipmen last week was valuable for this team. Rather than destorying their opponent, the Buckeyes were involved in a tight game against a team that has won eight games in each of the past three years with wins over Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh, the alma mater of major Ohio State supporter Mark May. Navy was a great opponent in preparation for USC, with reasons coming from the fact that Navy runs the ball often, something that the Trojans will try to do trememdously tomorrow night. The triple option that the Midshipmen features, is abysmal for opponents. Having four options each play, I expect the Buckeyes to be very well prepared for the legs of Joe McKnight, CJ Gable, Stafon Johnson and Marc Tyler. Barkley is a proficient pocket passer, and should be a relief to the lightning quick Ricky Dobbs Ohio State faced last week.

USC showcases a defense mourning the loss of eight starters from a season ago, the Buckeyes have the perfect opportunity to triumph the Trojans in the Shoe, a place the Buckeyes haven’t had the luxury of playing in the past couple years. Opposed to the happy go lucky attitude of Pete Carroll, this USC team isn’t exactly injury free. Losing wideout Ronald Johnson and defensive end Armond Armstead should hurt the Trojans tomorrow along with the banged up center Kristopher O’Dowd. As of today, Buckeye wideouts DeVeir Posey and Ray Small are ready for tomorrow after Posey had an ankle injury that caused him to leave the opener last week in the first half and Small was out with an unknown sickness. If the Buckeyes score early and Thaddeus Gibson and the front four get in the face of the golden boy from Mater Dei early, the Trojans may have some sickness of their own.

 Ultimately for the Buckeyes to win, the offensive line needs to get to the second level and finish blocks. The aforementioned Herron, Saine and Berry are each explosive game changers and can cause some damage if room to run is available. If anything, the performance last season against Texas should be encouraging, as the Buckeyes were in the game for all 60 minutes and were able to run the ball. Looked down upon by the entire nation, I see a different outcome with Pryor having the game of his life in a 28-27 victory for the Buckeyes.