Not that Erin Andrew’s really telling us anything about either of the two opponents Ohio State may face in the upcoming Rose Bowl. Doesn’t matter, it’s Erin Andrews and Erin Andrews is always good for a little Erin Andrews search engine traffic.
Not that I’ve facetiously loaded that sentence with traffic driving key words, Oregon and Oregon State meet tonight in the Civil War. And unlike all 112 Civil Wars that have gone before, this one decides who the Buckeyes will meet Jan. 1 in Pasadena. For all intensive purposes, this is about as close to an Ohio State/Michigan Rose Bowl game as you can get. Think back to Ohio State #1, Michigan #2 and you’ve got the game we’ll see tonight.
While this has always been a great rivalry game, there was usually a pesky USC or maybe UCLA standing in the way. Not this year. Winner take all. Rose Bowl, Pac 10 Coach of the Year (?), maybe a few Pac 10 player of the year honors for good measure. Even more important, at least a year’s worth of serious smack privileges for the winning fans.
But that will all come to a head on Jan. 1 and when the real bragging rights take hold.
Oregon is a 9.5 point favorite going into tonight’s game. Of the two teams, I think the Buckeyes line up better against Oregon State but of the two teams I’d rather see the Buckeyes beat, no question I’d love to see a serious Duck beat down. If we meet Oregon, the Buckeye defense will need to pound the quarterback and their spread option attack. Offensively, Tress will need to seriously step it up. The Ducks bring powerful defensive speed and there won’t be time for hesitation. However, Ohio State’s threeyardandacloudof stuff might play well against the Ducks if they pull the third down conversions. The Ducks are also prone to turnovers giving up almost 20 gifts so far this season. Good news for a Buckeye defense that likes to score on offensive mistakes.
Oregon State is more like what we see in the Big Ten. Lots of long slow drives, move the ball, convert the third down…that sort of stuff. More of a classic Rose Bowl matchup. A Pryor lead offense in top form could give Oregon State fits.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Bend over Bucks….time to get Ducked.
Its time for somebody to put a stop to this Oregon Scourge. Please remind them that the last time they actually won a Rose Bowl was in 1917. Mazola tends to hold the ball away from his body so hopefully you can capitalize on that fact.
Coming from an OSU BEAVER fan, the buckeyes are going to get SMOKED in the Rose Bowl. Your defense had better get their cardio on the next 4 weeks, because you are about to get RUN outta Pasadena.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
And Dawgs, if you think ANY college team give half a $hit about “when the last time their team won this or that bowl game” you are out of your skull. First time for anything and that, more than anything, motivates one to be the first.
Oregon 52, Ohio State 24.