LSU 11-2 (6-2), 1st Southeastern - West
vs
Ohio State 11-1 (7-1), 1st Big Ten
January 7, 8:00 pm, FOX
For the second time in as many years, the Ohio State Buckeyes are playing in the BCS Championship game. But unlike last year they come into the game as the underdog even though they have only 1 loss. LSU backed into the title game after Missouri and West Virginia lost on the last week of the season. But even so, many think that LSU has been the best team all year based on their difficult schedule. This will be the first time since the inception of the BCS title game, that we will have a repeat winner. LSU and Ohio State both have BCS titles in their resume.
As I said before, LSU played on of the toughest schedules in the nation and they rely on a defense that is built on speed. The Tigers are ranked 10th against the run, 9th against the pass, 3rd in total defense, and 16th in scoring defense, allowing a little over 19 points per game. The main guy of the Tigers' defense is their All-American defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey. Matt Flynn has had an up and down year but overall a solid one. Flynn has thrown for over 2200 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has made some outstanding throws in pressure situations. Jacob Hester has run for 1017 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's a tough runner who you give the ball to in short yardage situations. Brandon LaFell, Demetrius Byrd, and my favorite Early Doucet are LSU's top 3 receivers.
Ohio State is another solid team on the defensive front. The Buckeyes are 3rd against the run, 1st against the pass, 1st in total defense, and 1st in scoring defense only giving up a little over 10 points per game. Todd Boeckman is the quarterback, he does nothing flashy but he is consistent quarterback. In 2007, Boeckman has thrown for 2171 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Running back Chris Wells, has it all as a runner. He can run you over, or beat you to the corner. This year he ran for over 1400 yards and 14 touchdowns. At receiver Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline have combined for 15 touchdowns and 1500 yards. What impresses me most about Ohio State, is the strength of the offensive line. And they will face their biggest test trying to keep Dorsey out of the backfield.
Out of all the teams that Ohio State could've played in the championship game, I think that they match up best against LSU. LSU does not have a flashy offense that runs the spread. For LSU to win, they have to do what Illinois did, keep the ball out of Ohio State's hands and control the clock. With the strengths of these teams being the defenses, turnovers will play a huge part in this game. I know I'll get blasted for this, but I really believe Ohio State wins this game. They have been told since the beginning that they don't belong, and most are crowning LSU as champions. I think the Buckeyes overcome the hostile crowd in Louisiana and win a close one.
Ohio State 20 LSU 17
Picking LSU to Win (84%)
ITB Charlie Swager, Football Frontier, The LSC Scoop, Corn Nation, Pitch Right, Kansas It's Business Time, Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, Sportsbone TV, Rizzo Sports, MizzouRAH, MidWest Coast Bias, The Enlightened Spartan, Bastard Sons of Pinfall Marks, Greg Gowins, Sunny Verma, Lorena The Dodgerchick, Pete Boivin, Cyril Tircuit, Rodney Polston, Jeff Brancolini, Richard Dixon, Mrs Corn Nation, Brian Isaacson, Logan Jaffe, Matt Kieta, Lou Nemec, Timmy B
Picking Ohio State to Win (16%)
ITB Brian Sakowski, ITB Ron Juckett, Jason Stiver, Brant Chruscial, Dan Schoonover
