Unlike the prior OSU/Michigan game preview (a series of 7 entries,) this is going to be short and sweet because I don’t have many spare cycles to burn at the moment.
Florida can win if they:
- Pressure Troy Smith consistently with 4 linemen
- Stop the running game
- Jam receivers at the line of scrimmage
- Don’t turn the ball over
- No special teams gaffs
Conversely, Ohio State can win if they:
- Run well between the tackles
- Protect Troy Smith from pressure
- Play assignment defense to twart the “gadget plays”
- Pressure Chris Leak
- Get all skill players involved on offense
What will happen? I don’t know. But I do know that Tennesee, a team that Florida beat on the road by one point, was hammered by a so-so Penn State team in their bowl game and that Arkansas, a team Florida beat by 10 in the SEC Championship game got whacked by a good Wisconsin team. Much noise has been made in the press about SEC “speed” and that it will cause a mismatch for OSU. Don’t buy that, the two games above demonstrate the Big 10 can hang with the SEC.
On paper, I’d say this is a mismatch in OSU’s favor, but games aren’t played on paper. I worry about the Buckeyes being favored, consistently reminded of how “good” they are, and that they should win. We’d better hope the fire is there. On the flip side, Florida has the motivation of the underdog and no one is giving them much chance. Florida is a very good football team, they’ve got a good chance to win the game. That being said, I just can’t see it happening without bizarro turnovers (like the two errant snaps in the OSU/Michigan game) with the combination of offense, defense, and special teams the Buckeyes have fielded this season. Then again, I thought Michigan would take USC to the cleaners in the Rose Bowl and it didn’t quite work out that way…
Prediction: Ohio State wins a tough game, 27-16, somewhat closer than the score indicates. I can easily see this game in doubt in the 4th quarter. In the end, I trust that the coaching staff will have the team prepared and that the team will execute their game plan and adjust as required. It’s going to be a great game no matter what, there is no way to be disappointed when your team has a chance to win the national championship!
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4 days until OSU plays for the national championship
Ohio State’s 2006 record: 12-0 Next up: Florida 1/8/2007
Tune: Bangin’ by Haystak
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