USC is the number one team in the land, give them their due. The Buckeyes were short-handed, but you can't look too much into it as Heisman-hopeful "Beanie" Wells did not play. Oklahoma looks like a solid No. 2 and Wisconsin and Penn State have the edge in the Big Ten at the moment. The Buckeyes need to run the table and get a lot of help - which is definitely possible based on the increasing parity in the Div. 1 level and upsets similar to last year. A two-loss team has proven it cannot only make it to the title game, but also win it....LSU of last season.
Missouri looked really good, and a showdown with Oklahoma is looming if both teams continue playing and winning as they are. Texas is a sleeper, and look for the Badgers and Nittany Lions spending time in the top-10 rankings. Oregon got a big win on the road and will await a match-up with USC.
Georgia got a crucial SEC road win and laid claim to maintaining their ranking entering the third week of action. Auburn stayed undefeated with a 3-2 win...wow!
Next week there are some good games. Florida has a shot to run the table, as does Georgia. Missouri and USC control their own destiny at this point and could meet for the title. If the Buckeyes somehow make it to a third BCS title game, it'll be not only a miracle, but very controversial. Not many outside Ohio respect OSU in big games based on the past few big games.
Remember one thing: this is only the third week of action and bowl invitations wil be made in December. Between now and then, a heck of a lot can happen.
Current BCS Title Prediction: USC v. Ohio State
JF
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Fallacy of tonight's win by USC....
This was one win....Buckeyes will come back and be in the title game......
JF
JF
BCS National Title predictction....
Well, it is USC's night. They deservedly won.
However, "Beanie" Wells did not play. He is akin to Michael Jordan.
Look for the Buckeyes to run the table and meet USC in the BCS title game.
JF
However, "Beanie" Wells did not play. He is akin to Michael Jordan.
Look for the Buckeyes to run the table and meet USC in the BCS title game.
JF
Well, based on tonight's games.....
It's mid-third-fourth quarter in OSU vs. USC and the Trojans are running away with it. The Buckeyes look very bad without "Beanie" Wells.
My top five entering the USC-OSU fourth quarter are as follows:
1.) USC
2.) Oklahoma
3.) Georgia
4.) Missouri
5.) Texas
There is still a quarter to go, and I have seen OSU comeback from similar deficits. Again, I really doubt it and see USC winning 38-17.
JF
My top five entering the USC-OSU fourth quarter are as follows:
1.) USC
2.) Oklahoma
3.) Georgia
4.) Missouri
5.) Texas
There is still a quarter to go, and I have seen OSU comeback from similar deficits. Again, I really doubt it and see USC winning 38-17.
JF
It's fourth down again....
and Jim Tressel has one option....put in TP for the rest of the game.....I doubt it.
Sooners ahead 55-7
Once again, Wow!
Stoops is a great coach, and he's from Ohio.
Look for the Sooners to jump Georgia into the second ranking.
JF
Stoops is a great coach, and he's from Ohio.
Look for the Sooners to jump Georgia into the second ranking.
JF
OSU holds on, but....
That interception saved Ohio State from at least three points, if not seven. It was a bit of momemtum for an embattled defense which is not getting any help from its offensive counterparts.
USC gets the kick-off for second half, which could be trouble. Buckeyes got one of the three turnovers I thought they would. Again, that was a three-point play and OSU needs to regroup at halftime if they're going to win this one.
Oklahoma is now ahead 41-0 over the Washington Huskies, which is bad for Tyrone Willingham.
JF
USC gets the kick-off for second half, which could be trouble. Buckeyes got one of the three turnovers I thought they would. Again, that was a three-point play and OSU needs to regroup at halftime if they're going to win this one.
Oklahoma is now ahead 41-0 over the Washington Huskies, which is bad for Tyrone Willingham.
JF
It's getting worse for OSU...
Big turnover by Ohio State which likely means a 21-3 halftime lead for the Trojans. Things are not going Ohio State's way at the moment. I think the only the way OSU wins is to play Pryor the rest of the way and get those turnovers I mentioned. Now, it's not looking likely.
JF
JF
Buckeyes blow another opportunity....
Ohio State put together a really nice drive, only to see two holding penalties back them up then take a touchdown away. Tressel settled for a field goal attempt, which was missed wide right.
USC - 14
OSU - 3
I still believe Pryor needs to see the field much, much more if the Buckeyes are going to win. The defense also needs to help win this game in a big way or it could be a Trojan blow-out.
JF
USC - 14
OSU - 3
I still believe Pryor needs to see the field much, much more if the Buckeyes are going to win. The defense also needs to help win this game in a big way or it could be a Trojan blow-out.
JF
Trojans open 14-3 lead....
Sanchez just threw a TD pass to the tight end, supposedly a weakness of this year's USC offense. This score & drive puts USC in command 14-3 at home as the crowd is sensing blood.
I said OSU needs three turnovers to win this game, I stick with that. There is a long way to go, a whole half and the rest of the second quarter. With Boeckman ineffective in the last series, look for more of Terrelle Pryor, who looks like the leader on the sideline.
I think Ohio State needs to keep pressuring Sanchez (and get to him) and get a turnover score to help the offense.
JF
I said OSU needs three turnovers to win this game, I stick with that. There is a long way to go, a whole half and the rest of the second quarter. With Boeckman ineffective in the last series, look for more of Terrelle Pryor, who looks like the leader on the sideline.
I think Ohio State needs to keep pressuring Sanchez (and get to him) and get a turnover score to help the offense.
JF
In game blogging....
USC has the ball back early in the second quarter. If they score, it could begin a rout unless the Buckeyes regroup.
JF
JF
OSU-USC first quarter report...
The Buckeyes don't have Chris "Beanie" Wells, and have reverted to some new, previously-unseen at OSU plays rotating QBs Boeckman and Pryor right off the bat. The Buckeyes marched down to the Trojan 5 yard line, but had to settle for the field goal. It was a time-consuming drive by OSU, which may be a strategy Tressel tries to utilize in this game - offensive ball control to keep the Trojan offense off the field. At this rate, it could be a low-scoring affair. Trojans responded by marching down the field for a go-ahead touchdown.
JF
JF
In Game Blogging...
The Oklahoma Sooners are blowing out Washington and Oregon pulled out the win in double overtime against Purdue.
USC just scored on a pass to the fullback out of the backfield, something OSU Coach Jim Tressel had said during the week would be tough to defend. Trojans lead 7-3.
Wisconsin-Fresno State will kick off in a bit. Buckeyes are about to receive the kick-off; it's a touchback on the OSU 20.
JF
USC just scored on a pass to the fullback out of the backfield, something OSU Coach Jim Tressel had said during the week would be tough to defend. Trojans lead 7-3.
Wisconsin-Fresno State will kick off in a bit. Buckeyes are about to receive the kick-off; it's a touchback on the OSU 20.
JF
Welcome to the EG Citizen College Football Report
As many of our readers know, I have been writing a college football column for several years at the Citizen. However, due to space constraints in our print edition and our essential focus on local high school sports, the column hasn't always been published.
This year, we're switching the college football coverage to the Internet with our new blog, The EG Citizen College Football Report, where we will be covering everything related to the greatest sport in America - College Football.
Right now I am at home in Woodland watching three games at once - Notre Dame crushing Michigan (sorry Dan); Purdue and Oregon in a great game; and Georgia-South Carolina, which is a typical, tough-as-heck SEC match-up.
I didn't get to my usual picks in time, so this week I am sticking to night games because there are three biggies involving Midwest teams against West Coast teams.
This is a night of not only cross-country pigskin rivalry, but also cultural bragging rights. Midwest hard-working football is coming West to show all these Hollywood types what real gridiron action is. It's a theme today as Oregon visited Purdue; California got stomped by Maryland; and Washington State got trounced by Baylor.
Tonights Picks:
Ohio State at USC
The Buckeyes will ride their veteran defense to dominate a rookie-laden Trojan offensive line and inexperienced receiving corps and come away with the big road win. Beanie Wells may not play, but look for three things from the Buckeyes:
1.) Stifling defense. Look, half the starters will be first-round NFL picks next year and have played in every big game in college football the past three seasons. They're the only ones in history to play three No. 1 vs. No. 2 games in the same season. (2006 - OSU @ Texas; OSU v. Mich.; OSU v. Florida). The d-line is awesome with athletic Lawrence Wilson, stud Cameron Heyward, and Nader Abdallah. James Laurinaitis and the Buckeye secondary will shut down any big plays. Look for three turnovers grabbed by the Buckeye Silver Bullets. Sanchez has done nothing in his career as a USC starter and will suffer some limited mobility and fragility from his pre-season injury.
2.) Terrelle Pryor and Maurice Wells will lead the Buckeyes with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown each. Look for many sets with Pryor in the pistol alomng with Wells, super-fast Saine, or stud-to-be Herron. The Buckeye receiving corps is deep, and filled with NFL talent. I suspect today Jim "The Senator" Tressel will utilize Jake Ballard a lot. He's tall, fast, can block and catch and creates mismatches in the secondary and across the middle. Tight end is a weak spot on USC's offense, which aids the Buckeyes. The second team offensive line will play a lot - SAY: Adams, Shugarts, and Brewster. Remember Texas '06? I do.
3.) Special Teams: Pete "LA Story" Carroll will be the first to admit, their special teams play - punts in particular - are not up to par. Jim Tressel stresses special teams and after a poor year in that department in 2007, the Buckeyes are looking to return to the excellence of one of their team staples - all facets of special teams. Ray Small got a big boost of confidence - as well as a humbling embarrassment in the media for his USC comments - and will redeem himself with a punt or kick return touchdown and a lot of return yardage, resulting in good Ohio State field position.
BOTTOM LINE: THe Buckeyes have the edge in veteran leadership and experience. Those areas of dominance will be shown in the critical area of offensive line play. USC's offensive line is young and sparse. Ohio State has been experimenting with rotating two sets of lineman for the past three to four years - and will do it today and dominate in the run without Beanie Wells. The Buckeye defense will get three sacks and three turnovers and create excellent field play - in combo with special teams play - for the offense.
BUCKEYES 38 - USC 17.
Other Games:
Look for Wisconsin to blast Fresno State. The score will be somewhere in the area of 45-21, Badgers. PJ Hill and that cheese-loving offensive line will rack up 300 yards on the ground.
Oklahoma could find one of two things in Seattle - a demoralized Washington team that the Sooners romp all over; or a motivated team from last week's debacle who gives them a game. I am betting on demoralized.
Oklahoma 38, Washington 10.
Jeff Forward
Citizen College Football Writer
This year, we're switching the college football coverage to the Internet with our new blog, The EG Citizen College Football Report, where we will be covering everything related to the greatest sport in America - College Football.
Right now I am at home in Woodland watching three games at once - Notre Dame crushing Michigan (sorry Dan); Purdue and Oregon in a great game; and Georgia-South Carolina, which is a typical, tough-as-heck SEC match-up.
I didn't get to my usual picks in time, so this week I am sticking to night games because there are three biggies involving Midwest teams against West Coast teams.
This is a night of not only cross-country pigskin rivalry, but also cultural bragging rights. Midwest hard-working football is coming West to show all these Hollywood types what real gridiron action is. It's a theme today as Oregon visited Purdue; California got stomped by Maryland; and Washington State got trounced by Baylor.
Tonights Picks:
Ohio State at USC
The Buckeyes will ride their veteran defense to dominate a rookie-laden Trojan offensive line and inexperienced receiving corps and come away with the big road win. Beanie Wells may not play, but look for three things from the Buckeyes:
1.) Stifling defense. Look, half the starters will be first-round NFL picks next year and have played in every big game in college football the past three seasons. They're the only ones in history to play three No. 1 vs. No. 2 games in the same season. (2006 - OSU @ Texas; OSU v. Mich.; OSU v. Florida). The d-line is awesome with athletic Lawrence Wilson, stud Cameron Heyward, and Nader Abdallah. James Laurinaitis and the Buckeye secondary will shut down any big plays. Look for three turnovers grabbed by the Buckeye Silver Bullets. Sanchez has done nothing in his career as a USC starter and will suffer some limited mobility and fragility from his pre-season injury.
2.) Terrelle Pryor and Maurice Wells will lead the Buckeyes with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown each. Look for many sets with Pryor in the pistol alomng with Wells, super-fast Saine, or stud-to-be Herron. The Buckeye receiving corps is deep, and filled with NFL talent. I suspect today Jim "The Senator" Tressel will utilize Jake Ballard a lot. He's tall, fast, can block and catch and creates mismatches in the secondary and across the middle. Tight end is a weak spot on USC's offense, which aids the Buckeyes. The second team offensive line will play a lot - SAY: Adams, Shugarts, and Brewster. Remember Texas '06? I do.
3.) Special Teams: Pete "LA Story" Carroll will be the first to admit, their special teams play - punts in particular - are not up to par. Jim Tressel stresses special teams and after a poor year in that department in 2007, the Buckeyes are looking to return to the excellence of one of their team staples - all facets of special teams. Ray Small got a big boost of confidence - as well as a humbling embarrassment in the media for his USC comments - and will redeem himself with a punt or kick return touchdown and a lot of return yardage, resulting in good Ohio State field position.
BOTTOM LINE: THe Buckeyes have the edge in veteran leadership and experience. Those areas of dominance will be shown in the critical area of offensive line play. USC's offensive line is young and sparse. Ohio State has been experimenting with rotating two sets of lineman for the past three to four years - and will do it today and dominate in the run without Beanie Wells. The Buckeye defense will get three sacks and three turnovers and create excellent field play - in combo with special teams play - for the offense.
BUCKEYES 38 - USC 17.
Other Games:
Look for Wisconsin to blast Fresno State. The score will be somewhere in the area of 45-21, Badgers. PJ Hill and that cheese-loving offensive line will rack up 300 yards on the ground.
Oklahoma could find one of two things in Seattle - a demoralized Washington team that the Sooners romp all over; or a motivated team from last week's debacle who gives them a game. I am betting on demoralized.
Oklahoma 38, Washington 10.
Jeff Forward
Citizen College Football Writer
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